## Tags
- Part of: [[Natural science]] [[Formal science]] [[Systems theory]]
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## Definitions
- Systems science, also referred to as systems research, or, simply, [[systems]], is a [[Transdisciplinarity|transdisciplionary]] field concerned with understanding systems—from simple to complex—in nature, [[society]], [[cognition]], [[Engineering]], [[Technology]] and [[Science]] itself. The field is diverse, spanning the [[Formal science|formal]], [[Natural science|natural]], [[Social science|social]], and [[Applied science|applied]] sciences.
## Main resources
-
- <iframe src="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_science" allow="fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" style="height:100%;width:100%; aspect-ratio: 16 / 5; "></iframe>
## Landscapes
- [[Systems theory]]
## Written by AI (may include factually incorrect information)
# Gigantic Map of Systems Science
---
## **1. Systems Science Overview**
### 1.1 **Definition of Systems**
- **1.1.1 Open Systems**
- Interaction with the environment
- Exchange of energy, matter, or information
- **1.1.2 Closed Systems**
- No exchange with the environment
- Theoretical constructs
- **1.1.3 Complex Systems**
- Multiple interconnected components
- Nonlinear interactions
### 1.2 **History of Systems Science**
- **1.2.1 Early Concepts**
- Ancient holistic philosophies
- Mechanistic views in classical physics
- **1.2.2 Development in the 20th Century**
- Emergence of General Systems Theory
- Cybernetics during WWII
- **1.2.3 Modern Systems Science**
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Advances in computational modeling
### 1.3 **Key Concepts**
- **1.3.1 Holism**
- The whole is more than the sum of its parts
- **1.3.2 Emergence**
- Novel properties arising from interactions
- **1.3.3 Feedback**
- **1.3.3.1 Positive Feedback**
- Amplifying effects
- **1.3.3.2 Negative Feedback**
- Stabilizing effects
- **1.3.4 Homeostasis**
- Self-regulation to maintain stability
- **1.3.5 Adaptation**
- Systems adjusting to changes
- **1.3.6 Self-Organization**
- Order emerging without central control
---
## **2. Systems Theory**
### 2.1 **General Systems Theory**
- **2.1.1 Ludwig von Bertalanffy**
- Founder of General Systems Theory
- **2.1.1.1 Contributions to Biology**
- Open systems in biological organisms
- **2.1.1.2 Open Systems Model**
- Interactions with the environment
- **2.1.2 Principles**
- **2.1.2.1 Isomorphism**
- Similar structures across different systems
- **2.1.2.2 Hierarchical Organization**
- Systems within systems
- **2.1.2.3 Equifinality**
- Different paths to the same outcome
- **2.1.2.4 Feedback Mechanisms**
- Regulatory processes
### 2.2 **Mathematical Systems Theory**
- **2.2.1 Systems Modeling**
- Representation of system components
- **2.2.2 State Space Representation**
- Mathematical models using vectors
- **2.2.3 Linear Systems**
- Proportionality and superposition
- **2.2.4 Nonlinear Systems**
- Complex behavior and chaos
- **2.2.5 Stability Analysis**
- Equilibrium points and system response
### 2.3 **Dynamical Systems**
- **2.3.1 Discrete Dynamical Systems**
- Difference equations
- **2.3.2 Continuous Dynamical Systems**
- Differential equations
- **2.3.3 Bifurcation Theory**
- Sudden changes in system behavior
- **2.3.4 Chaos Theory**
- **2.3.4.1 Sensitive Dependence on Initial Conditions**
- **2.3.4.2 Strange Attractors**
- **2.3.4.3 Fractals**
### 2.4 **Network Theory**
- **2.4.1 Graph Theory Basics**
- Nodes and edges
- **2.4.2 Small-world Networks**
- Short path lengths in large networks
- **2.4.3 Scale-free Networks**
- Power-law degree distribution
- **2.4.4 Network Topology**
- Arrangement of network elements
- **2.4.5 Network Dynamics**
- Flow and connectivity
---
## **3. Cybernetics**
### 3.1 **First-Order Cybernetics**
- **3.1.1 Norbert Wiener**
- Founder of cybernetics
- **3.1.1.1 Definition of Cybernetics**
- Study of control and communication
- **3.1.1.2 Cybernetics and WWII**
- Anti-aircraft systems
- **3.1.2 Feedback Control Systems**
- Thermostats as simple examples
- **3.1.3 Control Theory**
- **3.1.3.1 PID Controllers**
- Proportional-Integral-Derivative control
- **3.1.3.2 Optimal Control**
- Minimizing a cost function
- **3.1.3.3 Robust Control**
- Handling uncertainties
### 3.2 **Second-Order Cybernetics**
- **3.2.1 Heinz von Foerster**
- Observer inclusion in systems
- **3.2.1.1 Self-Reference**
- Systems that observe themselves
- **3.2.1.2 Constructivism**
- Reality constructed by observers
- **3.2.2 Observer Inclusion**
- **3.2.2.1 Observing Systems**
- Reflexivity in systems
- **3.2.2.2 Autopoiesis**
- **3.2.2.2.1 Maturana and Varela**
- Self-producing systems
### 3.3 **Applications**
- **3.3.1 Biological Cybernetics**
- **3.3.1.1 Neurocybernetics**
- Nervous system modeling
- **3.3.1.2 Homeostatic Processes**
- Body regulation mechanisms
- **3.3.2 Social Cybernetics**
- **3.3.2.1 Management Cybernetics**
- **3.3.2.1.1 Stafford Beer's Viable System Model**
- **3.3.2.2 Sociocybernetics**
- Societal feedback processes
- **3.3.3 Engineering Cybernetics**
- **3.3.3.1 Automation**
- Control systems in manufacturing
- **3.3.3.2 Robotics**
- Autonomous systems
---
## **4. Systems Thinking**
### 4.1 **Principles of Systems Thinking**
- **4.1.1 Interconnectedness**
- Recognizing relationships
- **4.1.2 Synthesis**
- Combining parts to form a whole
- **4.1.3 Feedback Loops**
- **4.1.3.1 Positive Feedback**
- **4.1.3.2 Negative Feedback**
- **4.1.4 Causality**
- Understanding cause and effect
- **4.1.5 Systems Mapping**
- Visual representation of systems
### 4.2 **Tools and Techniques**
- **4.2.1 Causal Loop Diagrams**
- Visualizing feedback
- **4.2.2 Systems Archetypes**
- Common patterns in systems
- **4.2.3 Stock and Flow Diagrams**
- Modeling accumulations and rates
### 4.3 **Applications**
- **4.3.1 Organizational Learning**
- Improving corporate practices
- **4.3.2 Policy Analysis**
- Evaluating systemic impacts
- **4.3.3 Problem Solving**
- Holistic approaches
---
## **5. Systems Engineering**
### 5.1 **Systems Engineering Process**
- **5.1.1 Requirements Analysis**
- Defining system needs
- **5.1.2 System Design**
- Architectural development
- **5.1.3 Implementation**
- Building the system
- **5.1.4 Testing and Validation**
- Ensuring functionality
- **5.1.5 Deployment**
- Releasing the system
- **5.1.6 Maintenance**
- Ongoing support
### 5.2 **Systems Integration**
- **5.2.1 Interface Management**
- Coordinating system components
- **5.2.2 Compatibility Analysis**
- Ensuring components work together
### 5.3 **Reliability Engineering**
- **5.3.1 Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)**
- Identifying potential failures
- **5.3.2 Fault Tree Analysis**
- Analyzing root causes
### 5.4 **Project Management**
- **5.4.1 Risk Management**
- Mitigating potential issues
- **5.4.2 Quality Assurance**
- Maintaining standards
### 5.5 **Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)**
- Using models for system design and analysis
---
## **6. Systems Dynamics**
### 6.1 **Foundations**
- **6.1.1 Jay W. Forrester**
- Pioneer of system dynamics
- **6.1.2 Feedback Loops**
- Core of dynamic behavior
### 6.2 **Modeling Techniques**
- **6.2.1 Differential Equations**
- Mathematical representation
- **6.2.2 Simulation Software**
- Vensim, Stella, Powersim
### 6.3 **Applications**
- **6.3.1 Economic Systems Modeling**
- Market dynamics
- **6.3.2 Environmental Modeling**
- Ecosystem simulations
- **6.3.3 Business Dynamics**
- Corporate strategy analysis
### 6.4 **Systems Archetypes**
- **6.4.1 Limits to Growth**
- **6.4.2 Tragedy of the Commons**
- **6.4.3 Success to the Successful**
---
## **7. Complex Systems**
### 7.1 **Characteristics**
- **7.1.1 Nonlinearity**
- **7.1.2 Emergence**
- **7.1.3 Self-Organization**
- **7.1.4 Adaptation**
- **7.1.5 Hierarchical Structure**
### 7.2 **Complexity Theory**
- **7.2.1 Complex Adaptive Systems**
- **7.2.1.1 Characteristics**
- **7.2.1.1.1 Adaptation**
- **7.2.1.1.2 Coevolution**
- **7.2.1.1.3 Aggregation**
- **7.2.1.2 Agent-Based Modeling**
- **7.2.1.2.1 Swarm Intelligence**
- **7.2.1.2.1.1 Ant Colony Optimization**
- **7.2.1.2.1.2 Particle Swarm Optimization**
- **7.2.1.3 Cellular Automata**
- **7.2.1.3.1 Conway's Game of Life**
- **7.2.1.3.2 Wolfram's Classification**
- **7.2.2 Santa Fe Institute Contributions**
- **7.2.2.1 Interdisciplinary Research**
- **7.2.2.2 Notable Figures**
- **7.2.2.2.1 Murray Gell-Mann**
- **7.2.2.2.2 Stuart Kauffman**
- **7.2.2.2.2.1 NK Models**
### 7.3 **Applications**
- **7.3.1 Social Systems**
- **7.3.2 Economic Systems**
- **7.3.3 Ecological Systems**
- **7.3.4 Biological Systems**
---
## **8. Information Theory**
### 8.1 **Claude Shannon's Information Theory**
- **8.1.1 Entropy**
- Measure of uncertainty
- **8.1.2 Redundancy**
- Repetition to reduce errors
- **8.1.3 Channel Capacity**
- Maximum transmission rate
### 8.2 **Applications in Systems Science**
- **8.2.1 Communication Systems**
- **8.2.2 Signal Processing**
- **8.2.3 Data Compression**
### 8.3 **Cybernetics and Information Flow**
- Feedback and control mechanisms
---
## **9. Systems Biology**
### 9.1 **Overview**
- Integration of biological data
- Computational modeling
### 9.2 **Genomics and Proteomics**
- **9.2.1 Gene Regulatory Networks**
- **9.2.1.1 Transcription Factors**
- **9.2.1.2 Regulatory Motifs**
- **9.2.2 Protein Interaction Networks**
- **9.2.2.1 Post-translational Modifications**
- **9.2.2.2 Signaling Cascades**
### 9.3 **Metabolic Networks**
- **9.3.1 Flux Balance Analysis**
- Metabolic flux predictions
### 9.4 **Signaling Pathways**
- Cellular communication processes
### 9.5 **Applications**
- **9.5.1 Drug Discovery**
- **9.5.2 Personalized Medicine**
- **9.5.3 Synthetic Biology**
---
## **10. Systems Ecology**
### 10.1 **Ecosystems as Systems**
- **10.1.1 Energy Flow**
- **10.1.2 Nutrient Cycling**
### 10.2 **Modeling Ecosystems**
- **10.2.1 Population Dynamics**
- **10.2.2 Predator-Prey Models**
- **10.2.2.1 Lotka-Volterra Equations**
- **10.2.3 Ecosystem Simulation Models**
### 10.3 **Human Impact**
- **10.3.1 Climate Change Models**
- **10.3.2 Sustainability Science**
---
## **11. Socio-Technical Systems**
### 11.1 **Definition**
- Interaction of society and technology
### 11.2 **Human-Technology Interaction**
- Ergonomics
- User experience design
### 11.3 **Organizational Systems**
- **11.3.1 Work Design**
- **11.3.2 Change Management**
### 11.4 **Complex Socio-Technical Systems**
- **11.4.1 Infrastructure Systems**
- **11.4.1.1 Power Grids**
- **11.4.1.2 Water Supply Systems**
- **11.4.2 Transportation Systems**
- **11.4.2.1 Traffic Flow Theory**
- **11.4.2.2 Public Transportation Networks**
- **11.4.3 Health Care Systems**
- **11.4.3.1 Electronic Health Records**
- **11.4.3.2 Telemedicine**
---
## **12. Cognitive Systems**
### 12.1 **Cognitive Science Foundations**
- Mind as an information processor
### 12.2 **Artificial Intelligence**
- **12.2.1 Machine Learning**
- **12.2.1.1 Neural Networks**
- **12.2.1.2 Deep Learning**
- **12.2.2 Cognitive Architectures**
### 12.3 **Human-Computer Interaction**
- Usability and interface design
---
## **13. Economic Systems**
### 13.1 **Macroeconomic Systems**
- **13.1.1 Economic Modeling**
- **13.1.2 Monetary Systems**
### 13.2 **Microeconomic Systems**
- **13.2.1 Market Dynamics**
- **13.2.2 Game Theory**
### 13.3 **Complex Economics**
- **13.3.1 Behavioral Economics**
- **13.3.1.1 Prospect Theory**
- **13.3.1.2 Heuristics and Biases**
- **13.3.2 Network Economics**
- **13.3.2.1 Network Externalities**
- **13.3.2.2 Supply Chain Networks**
### 13.4 **Systemic Risk and Financial Systems**
- Stability and crises analysis
---
## **14. Social Systems**
### 14.1 **Sociology and Systems Science**
- **14.1.1 Social Network Analysis**
- **14.1.1.1 Centrality Measures**
- **14.1.1.2 Community Detection**
- **14.1.1.3 Diffusion of Innovations**
- **14.1.2 Group Dynamics**
- **14.1.2.1 Groupthink**
- **14.1.2.2 Social Loafing**
### 14.2 **Cultural Systems**
- **14.2.1 Memetics**
- Cultural transmission
- **14.2.2 Cultural Evolution**
- Adaptation over time
### 14.3 **Systems in Anthropology**
- **14.3.1 Structuralism**
- **14.3.2 Functionalism**
---
## **15. Systems Philosophy**
### 15.1 **Philosophical Foundations**
- **15.1.1 Ontology of Systems**
- Nature of being
- **15.1.2 Epistemology**
- Knowledge in systems
### 15.2 **Ethics of Systems**
- **15.2.1 Responsibility in Complex Systems**
- **15.2.2 Ethical Implications of Systems Engineering**
### 15.3 **Systems Methodology**
- **15.3.1 Systems Inquiry**
- **15.3.1.1 Ontological, Epistemological, and Methodological Levels**
- **15.3.2 Transdisciplinarity**
- **15.3.2.1 Integration of Disciplines**
- **15.3.2.2 Complexity and Knowledge Integration**
---
## **16. Systems Psychology**
### 16.1 **Systems Approach in Psychology**
- **16.1.1 Family Systems Therapy**
- **16.1.1.1 Murray Bowen's Theory**
- **16.1.2 Ecological Systems Theory**
- **16.1.2.1 Urie Bronfenbrenner's Model**
### 16.2 **Organizational Psychology**
- **16.2.1 Organizational Culture**
- **16.2.2 Team Dynamics**
---
## **17. Systems Methodologies**
### 17.1 **Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)**
- **17.1.1 Peter Checkland**
- **17.1.2 Rich Pictures**
- **17.1.3 CATWOE Analysis**
### 17.2 **Hard Systems Methodology**
- **17.2.1 Operational Research**
- **17.2.2 Systems Analysis**
### 17.3 **Critical Systems Thinking**
- **17.3.1 Total Systems Intervention**
- **17.3.2 Critical Systems Heuristics**
---
## **18. Systems Modeling and Simulation**
### 18.1 **Modeling Techniques**
- **18.1.1 Mathematical Modeling**
- **18.1.1.1 Differential Equations**
- **18.1.1.2 Difference Equations**
- **18.1.1.3 Stochastic Models**
- **18.1.1.3.1 Markov Processes**
- **18.1.1.3.2 Monte Carlo Simulations**
- **18.1.2 Agent-Based Modeling**
- **18.1.2.1 Social Simulation**
- **18.1.2.2 Economic Modeling**
- **18.1.3 Discrete Event Simulation**
- **18.1.3.1 Queuing Systems**
- **18.1.3.2 Manufacturing Systems**
### 18.2 **Simulation Software**
- **18.2.1 AnyLogic**
- **18.2.2 Simulink**
- **18.2.3 NetLogo**
### 18.3 **Applications**
- **18.3.1 Industrial Processes**
- **18.3.2 Environmental Systems**
- **18.3.3 Military Simulations**
---
## **19. Applications of Systems Science**
### 19.1 **Engineering and Technology**
- **19.1.1 Aerospace Systems**
- **19.1.2 Telecommunications**
- **19.1.3 Robotics**
### 19.2 **Healthcare Systems**
- **19.2.1 Hospital Management**
- **19.2.2 Public Health Systems**
### 19.3 **Environmental Management**
- **19.3.1 Sustainable Development**
- **19.3.2 Climate Modeling**
### 19.4 **Education Systems**
- **19.4.1 Learning Organizations**
- **19.4.2 E-Learning Systems**
### 19.5 **Urban Planning**
- **19.5.1 Smart Cities**
- **19.5.2 Transportation Networks**
---
## **20. Future Directions in Systems Science**
### 20.1 **Systems Medicine**
- **20.1.1 Precision Medicine**
- **20.1.2 Integrative Approaches**
### 20.2 **Systems Neuroscience**
- **20.2.1 Brain Networks**
- **20.2.2 Neural Dynamics**
### 20.3 **Quantum Systems**
- **20.3.1 Quantum Information Theory**
- **20.3.2 Quantum Computing**
### 20.4 **Global Systems**
- **20.4.1 Globalization and Systems**
- **20.4.2 International Relations**
### 20.5 **Ethical and Philosophical Implications**
- **20.5.1 AI and Society**
- **20.5.1.1 Automation and Employment**
- **20.5.1.2 AI Ethics**
- **20.5.1.2.1 Bias in AI**
- **20.5.1.2.2 Transparency and Explainability**
- **20.5.2 Bioethics in Systems Biology**
- **20.5.2.1 Genetic Engineering**
- **20.5.2.2 Synthetic Life**
- **20.5.3 Environmental Ethics**
- **20.5.3.1 Sustainable Development Goals**
- **20.5.3.2 Climate Justice**
---
This comprehensive map outlines the vast and interconnected domains of systems science. It spans foundational theories, methodologies, applications across various disciplines, and future directions, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Systems science continues to evolve, integrating new technologies and addressing complex global challenges through holistic and systemic approaches.
- Systems science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the nature of complex systems in nature, society, and science itself. It involves the use of systems theory and methodology to understand and solve problems in various domains. Here's a comprehensive list of various branches and topics within systems science:
### 1. General [[Systems theory]]
- Systems Dynamics
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Modeling and Simulation
- Cybernetics
- Control Theory
- Feedback Systems
- Complex Adaptive Systems
- Chaos Theory and Nonlinear Dynamics
### 2. Systems Engineering
- Systems Design and Development
- Systems Integration
- Reliability Engineering
- Risk Management
- Quality Control
- Project Management
- Human-Systems Engineering
- Safety Engineering
### 3. Systems Biology
- Computational Biology
- Synthetic Biology
- Network Biology
- Genomic Systems
- Proteomics
- Metabolomics
- Ecological Systems Biology
### 4. Systems Ecology
- Ecosystem Modeling
- Sustainability Science
- Urban Ecology
- Landscape Ecology
- Agroecosystems Analysis
- Ecological Resilience
### 5. Systems Psychology
- Family Systems Therapy
- Organizational Behavior
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Psychodynamics
- Cognitive Systems
### 6. Systems Neuroscience
- Neural Networks
- Brain-Computer Interface
- Neuroinformatics
- Cognitive Neuroscience
### 7. Systems Sociology
- Social Network Analysis
- Organizational Studies
- Sociocybernetics
- Complex Social Systems
### 8. Systems Economics
- Econometrics
- Economic Systems Analysis
- Game Theory
- Evolutionary Economics
- Ecological Economics
### 9. Systems Engineering Management
- Systems Thinking in Management
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Systems Leadership
### 10. Information Systems
- Database Systems
- Information Theory
- Knowledge Management
- Decision Support Systems
- Geographic Information Systems
### 11. Artificial Intelligence and Systems
- Machine Learning
- Expert Systems
- Robotic Systems
- Intelligent Agents
- Knowledge-Based Systems
### 12. Systems Philosophy
- Philosophical Foundations of Systems Theory
- Ethics in Systems Design
- Transdisciplinarity
### 13. Complex Systems
- Agent-Based Modeling
- Network Theory
- Self-Organization
- Emergence
### 14. Systems in Physical and Environmental Sciences
- Climate Systems
- Geological Systems
- Hydrological Systems
- Physical Oceanography
### 15. Mathematical Systems Theory
- Dynamical Systems
- Control Systems
- Optimization Theory
- Graph Theory
- Game Theory
### 16. Systems in Healthcare
- Health Systems Engineering
- Medical Informatics
- Telemedicine Systems
- Patient Safety Systems
### 17. Education Systems
- Educational Technology
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Systems
- Educational Policy Analysis
### 18. Energy Systems
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Smart Grids
- Energy Policy and Planning
- Energy Efficiency Systems
### 19. Systems in Business and Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Business Process Reengineering
- Marketing Systems
- Innovation Systems
### 20. Urban and Regional Systems
- Urban Planning and Development
- Transportation Systems
- Infrastructure Management
- Regional Development
Systems science combines principles and concepts from various disciplines to provide holistic ways of understanding and managing complex phenomena. It's an inherently multidisciplinary field, drawing on methodologies and knowledge from a wide range of other sciences.