Complex systems: An introduction |
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Authors: | V K Wadhawan |
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Institution: | (1) Centre for Philosophy and Foundations of Science Darshan Sadan, E-36 Panchshila Park, New Delhi, 110 017, India |
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Abstract: | The characteristic feature of complex systems is the emergence of unexpected properties or behaviour. Complexity, beyond a certain threshold, may even lead to the emergence of new principles. It is
a one-way traffic: The new principles and features may be sometimes deducible from, but are not reducible to, those operating
at the lower levels of complexity. Reductionism stands discounted. Complexity is rampant in the animate world. It arises in
inanimate systems also, some examples being multiferroic materials and certain nanocomposites, as also a variety of soft-matter
systems. Our ecosphere is also a giant, highly complex, open system, which we do not understand much at present. Mastering
complexity is the next big challenge for science. Conceptual breakthroughs are needed. In the first part of this article,
we introduce the basic of information theory, chaos theory, and computational complexity. In the second part, we shall describe
complex materials as well as some terrestrial and cosmic aspects of complexity. |
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