Systems Hierarchy
The Systems Hierarchy is a framework developed by Kenneth Boulding that organizes all known systems into a series of nine levels of increasing complexity. These…
Transcendental Systems
Transcendental Systems represent the ninth and most complex level in the hierarchy. This level deals with the areas of knowledge that are currently unexplained or…
Autopoiesis
Its, meaning "self-creation," defines the organizational pattern of all living systems. An autopoietic system is one whose components constantly interact in a network to produce…
Allopoiesis
It refers to the organizational pattern of non-living systems or machines. An allopoietic system is defined by the fact that its operational network produces something…
Paradox
In Systems Thinking, a paradox is a statement or situation that is self-contradictory but seems true or reasonable. A communication paradox like the Double Bind…
Double Bind
A specific communication paradox identified by Gregory Bateson, consisting of two contradictory messages (one verbal, one non-verbal) delivered by an authority figure that cannot be…
Neural Network
A system, either biological (the brain) or artificial (AI software), composed of many interconnected, simple processing units (neurons or nodes) that work collectively. As shown…
Emergent Property
This refers to the specific, complex characteristic that arises from the collective interaction of simple parts. It is a feature of the system as a…
Emergence
This is the principle that a complex system exhibits properties or behaviors that cannot be explained or predicted by analyzing the system's individual parts alone.…
Bullwhip Effect
A common economic phenomenon where small changes in customer demand at the retail end are amplified into massive, disruptive swings in orders up the supply…