Changes

Definitions are often tied to the concept of a ‘[[system]]’ – a set of parts or elements which have relationships among them differentiated from relationships with other elements outside the relational regime. Many definitions tend to postulate or assume that complexity expresses a condition of numerous elements in a system and numerous forms of [[relationship]]s among the elements. At the same time, what is complex and what is simple is [[relative]] and changes with time.

Definitions are often tied to the concept of a ‘[[system]]’ – a set of parts or elements which have relationships among them differentiated from relationships with other elements outside the relational regime. Many definitions tend to postulate or assume that complexity expresses a condition of numerous elements in a system and numerous forms of [[relationship]]s among the elements. At the same time, what is complex and what is simple is [[relative]] and changes with time.

 

Some definitions key on the question of the [[probability]] of encountering a given condition of a [[system]] once characteristics of the system are specified. Warren Weaver has posited that the complexity of a particular system is the degree of difficulty in predicting the properties of the system if the properties of the system’s parts are given. In Weaver's view, complexity comes in two forms: disorganized complexity, and organized complexity. [1] Weaver’s paper has influenced contemporary thinking about complexity. [2]

Some definitions key on the question of the [[probability]] of encountering a given condition of a [[system]] once characteristics of the system are specified. Warren Weaver has posited that the complexity of a particular system is the degree of difficulty in predicting the properties of the system if the properties of the system’s parts are given. In Weaver's view, complexity comes in two forms: disorganized complexity, and organized complexity. [1] Weaver’s paper has influenced contemporary thinking about complexity. [2]