The Combinatory Systems Theory : Understanding, Modeling and Simulating Collective Phenomena

• Main Author: Mella, Piero (Author)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cham, Switzerland : Springer Science and Business Media : Springer, 2017.
• Series: Contemporary systems thinking.
• Subjects: System theory.; elektronické knihy; electronic books
• ISBN: 9783319548050; 9783319548036
• Physical Description: 1 online resource

This study adopts the logic of Systems Thinking and Control Systems, presenting a simple but complete theory called the Theory of Combinatory Systems. This new theory is able to describe, interpret, explain, simulate and control collective phenomena and their observable effects. Despite specific dif...

Table of Contents:

• Preface; Contents; Chapter 1: The Theory of Combinatory Systems; 1.1 Defining Combinatory Systems; 1.1.1 Strange but Simple Phenomena; 1.1.2 Macro (Collective) and Micro (Individual) Behavior: Collectivities; 1.1.3 The Micro-Macro Feedback; 1.1.4 The Central Idea of Combinatory System Theory (CST); 1.1.5 The Invisible Hand Producing Self-Organization and Path Dependence; 1.1.6 Behavior Due to "Chance" and "Necessity"; 1.1.7 Necessitating and Recombining Factors; 1.2 The Study of Collectivities: A Literature Review; 1.2.1 The Macro Approaches: A Short Survey.
• 1.2.2 The Micro Approaches: A Short Survey1.2.3 The Third Approach: The Micro-Macro Feedback Approach; 1.3 Peculiarities of Combinatory Systems; 1.3.1 Base and Environment; 1.3.2 Micro and Macro Behaviors and Effects; 1.3.3 The Micro-Macro Feedback Action; 1.3.4 State and Output, Macro Behavior and Macro Effect; 1.3.5 Incomplete and Limited Information; 1.3.6 Minimum and Maximum Density; 1.3.7 Energy Inputs; 1.3.8 Control of Combinatory Systems: Strengthening and Weakening Actions and Effects; 1.3.9 Exogenous and Endogenous Control.
• 1.4 Self-Organization and the Evolution of Combinatory Systems1.4.1 Natural and Artificial Combinatory Systems. Spontaneous Genesis and Design; 1.4.2 Expansion, Organization and Ramification of Natural Combinatory Systems; 1.4.3 Robustness and Persistence in Combinatory Systems; 1.5 Typology of Combinatory Systems; 1.5.1 Five Relevant Classes of Combinatory Systems; 1.5.2 Models for Representing Combinatory Systems; 1.5.3 Social Combinatory Systems: The Modus Operandi; 1.5.4 The External Control of Social Combinatory Systems; Appendix 1: The Language of Systems Thinking (the Basics).
• Appendix 2: Control Systems (the Basics)Chapter 2: The Observable Variety: Heuristic Models of Combinatory Systems; 2.1 A Bit of Order: Heuristic Models of Five Classes of Combinatory Systems; 2.2 Systems of Accumulation; 2.2.1 "Pile-of-Garbage" System; 2.2.2 "Planet-Formation" System; 2.2.3 "Graffiti-on-Wall" System; 2.2.4 "Urban-Settlement" System; 2.2.5 Industrial Districts and Colonies; 2.3 Systems of Diffusion; 2.3.1 "A-Fashion-Is-Born" and "Epidemics" Systems; 2.3.2 "The-Hundred-Towers" System; 2.3.3 "Tower-of-Babel" System; 2.3.4 "Spread-of-Drugs" System.
• 2.3.5 "Break-out-of-Applause" System2.4 Systems of Pursuit; 2.4.1 "Voice-Murmur" System; 2.4.2 "Beat-the-Record" System; 2.4.3 "Speed-Limit" System; 2.4.4 "Eternal-Feud" System (and Variants); 2.4.5 "Assail-the-Professor" System; 2.5 Systems of Order; 2.5.1 "Waltz-Spin" System; 2.5.2 "Herd-in-Flight" System; 2.5.3 "Stadium-Wave" System; 2.5.4 "Trace-a-Path" System; 2.5.5 "File-of-Ants" and "Stigmergy" Effect; 2.5.6 "Highway-Ruts" System; 2.5.7 "Macedonian-Phalanx" System; 2.5.8 "School-of-Fish" Systems; 2.6 Systems of Improvement and Progress; 2.6.1 "Increasing-Productivity" System.