Complex Systems

Complexity theory examines systems that are capable of becoming chaotic and are open to receiving input from outside themselves.

Properties of complex systems

• chaotic: it can have chaotic behavior
• open: it interacts with outside of itself
• interactive: forms relationships among the elements that interact to compose the “system”
• emergent: self-organization emerges from the interactions among the basic elements that comprise the system
• integrative: a system that evolves toward complexity is the most stable, coherent flexible, and adaptive

Moving toward complexity requires energy. Complexity is the golden middle way between rigidity (zero energy) and chaos (uncontrolled energy).