How Are the Sciences of Complex Systems Possible

Bibliographic Data

ID10708264
AuthorsMichael Strevens (0000-0002-7558-5301, New York University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume72
Issue4
Pages531-556
Publication date2005-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1086/505471
OpenAlexW1981329575
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited5

To understand the behavior of a complex system, one must understand the interactions among its parts. Doing so is difficult for nondecomposable systems, in which the interactions strongly influence the short term behavior of the parts. Science's principal tool for dealing with nondecomposable systems is a variety of probabilistic analysis that I call EPA. I show that EPA's power derives from an assumption that appears to be false of nondecomposable complex systems, in virtue of their very nondecomposability. Yet EPA is extremely successful. I aim to find an interpretation of EPA's assumption that is consistent with, indeed that explains, its success

Business · Complex system · Computer security · Economics · Epistemology · Interpretation (philosophy) · Management science · Principal (computer security) · Probabilistic logic · Risk analysis (engineering) · Sociology · Variety (cybernetics) · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · History and advancements in chemistry · Philosophy

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub