Transcript Meta-Systems, Complexity, and Emergence Kent D. Palmer CSER [email protected] http://archonic.net http://holonomic.net Papers for CSER Conference • The Failure of Systems Engineering as an approach toward Complex.

Meta-Systems, Complexity,
and Emergence
Kent D. Palmer
CSER 2008
080404
[email protected]
http://archonic.net http://holonomic.net
Papers for CSER Conference
• The Failure of Systems Engineering as an
approach toward Complex Adaptive Systems
in our major Customer’s Eyes:
– Analysis of the Capstone Concept for Joint
Operations and its relation to Meta-systems
Theory
• Emergence and Complexity in relation to
General Schemas Theory
– A point of discussion within the Systems Science
Enabler Technical Working Group of INCOSE
Meta-system Primer
• This brief primer will help readers to
understand the papers associated with this
conference
• In order to understand the points of my
paper it is necessary to explain Metasystems in relation to Systems
• Meta-systems offer a different way to look
at things than Systems
Two different Schemas
Meta-System ≠ System of Systems
(Super-system)
System
Sub-system
What is a Schema
• A projected organization of envelopes of spacetime
which is a template for the pre-understanding of
perceptual objects
• The term “System” is over-used and has lost its
meaning. To get that meaning back we must compare it
with other similar concepts of the same type that have a
family resemblance but at different scales
• The history of the term Schema is discussed by Umberto
Eco in Kant and the Platypus
– By Schema we mean what he calls the “Mathematical and
Geometrical Schemas,” not the many other meanings of the term
he mentions. This is the most basic type of schema, i.e. the type
that allows us to reference an object in spacetime.
System and Meta-system
Formalization
System
“Application”
Normal Turing Machine
System dynamics
with negative feedback
Meta-system
“Operating System”
Universal Turing Machine
System dynamics
with positive feedback
Turning Machine
Representation
(Gurevich Abstract State Machine)
Bataille “Accursed Share”
•
•
•
•
General Economy
Meta-system
International waters
Lawlessness of the
high seas
• Piracy, reflaging
ships, contraband and
smuggling
• Restricted Economy
• System
• Nation states control
what is within their
borders, ideally
• Really the state is a
meta-system inside =
black and grey
markets, barter and
gift
Nested Systems and Meta-systems
Russian Dolls:
Shells are systems
Spaces are meta-systems
Meta-system Characteristics
+ Positive Feedback +
Folds continuity and discontinuity
(Rene Thom Catastrophe Theory)
Negative feedback loop
SYSTEM
Singularity >
- Positive Feedback -
Meta-System Partitions
Boundary
Horizon
System
ARENA
Origin
Sink
Anti-System
Source
Perceptual / Conceptual
• Gestalt
– System
• Flow
– Process
• Proto-gestalt
– Meta-system
• Proto-flow
– Meta-process
Open-Scape
HORIZON
G
PG
G
G
G
No movement
One point of view
PG=Proto-gestalt
G= Gestalt
Gestalt vs Flow
Background
Reference
in background
foreground
Flowing
In Foreground
Proto-gestalt / Proto-flow
Bank
Streams in a River
G
PG
PF
F
G
F
G
F
G
F
Static-dynamic
Dynamic-Static
Bank
PF=Proto-flow
F= Flow
Reference Line
Emergence and Complexity are
Orthogonal
• It is possible to have both simplicity and
Emergence, such as in atoms
• It is possible to have both complexity and
de-emergence which some call
complications.
• We normally see dynamic complexity
leading to emergent effects but this is not
an intrinsic relation between the two
properties
Complex systems do not capture the
concept of the meta-system
Systems Theory
Meta-systems Theory
Complex Systems
Complex Meta-systems
Complex Adaptive
Systems
Complex Adaptive Metasystems
Chaotic Systems
Chaotic Meta-systems
Emergence and Schemas are
Orthogonal
• Any Schema (System or Meta-system) can
either be seen as emergent or de-emergent
• De-emergence or Emergence can be upward or
downward in the self-nesting of a single schema
• The transition to another schema from a
particular schema can either be emergent or
supervenient
• Supervenience means homeomorphic without
new emergent properties appearing
• Sub-venience is mapping in the opposite
direction, down instead of up
Emergence
De-Emergence
Essential Difference as Novelty
Reduction
START
Set to Set or Mass to Mass
Transition
Simplification
Subvenience
Set to Mass Transition
Supervenience
Complication
Complexity
Homeomorphism
Pick:
Position in Hierarchy of Schemas
Complexity/Complication ratio
Sameness/Difference ratio
Set to Set or Mass to Mass
Final
Design
Initial
Design
Homeomorphism
Alternative
Design
Essential Difference
Exploring the Design Landscape
Alternative
Design
Set to Mass Transition
SE should be grounded on Systems Theory
Systems Engineering Discipline
Systems Theory
Complementary Disciplines
Emergent Engineering
Systems
Engineering
Discipline
Meta-systems
Engineering
Discipline
Systems Theory
Meta-systems Theory
Emergent Engineering
Produces
EXCESS
Emergence
or
LACK
De-emergence
Regardless of Schema
System/Meta-system vs
Emergence/De-emergence
Next higher or lower level of system
Emergent System
De-emergent System
Move to the inner environment
Move to the outer environment
De-emergent Meta-system
Emergent Meta-System
An environment with emergent
properties of its own without
becoming a system
Hierarchy of Schemas
Scaffolding
Experiential
Pluriverse
Kosmos
World
Domain
Meta-system
Reflexive social
Autopoietic Symbiotic
Dissipative Ordering
System
Form
Pattern
Monad
Facet
Emergent Engineering deals with all the schematic levels within reach of experience
Schemas and Dimensions
infinity
Heterochronic
12 --14
String Theory
10 -- 11
Pluriverse
Kosmos
World
Domain
Meta-system
System
Form
Pattern
Hyper-sphere volumes
Monad
and areas
Facet
8 to 9
7 to 8 Max area
6 to 7
5 to 6 Max volume
4 to 5
3 to 4
2 to 3
1 to 2
0 to 1
-1 to 0
General Rule: Two dimensions per Schema and Two Schemas per dimension
Holonomic Systems
Meta-system = Whole less than the sum of its parts
Reflexive
Autopoietic
Special System
= Whole exactly equal to sum of parts
Dissipative
System = Whole greater than sum of is parts
Emergent Meta-system
Lower Energy
<< lost division
Real Algebra
Complex Algebra
Quaternion Algebra
Octonion Algebra
Sedenion Algebra
Zero Divisors
<< lost associative
<< lost commutative
<<lost conjugate
Meta-system Primer
End
Kent D. Palmer
[email protected]
http://archonic.net
http://holonomic.net