cas/taxonomy.php (default section or parent)
Core Concepts
Central ideas & how these relate to CAS's governing features
Explore an array of key concepts related to complexity! Each concept is defined using non-mathematical descriptions with reference to key thinkers, publications, and associated terms.
A tipping point (often referred to as a 'critical point') is a threshold within a system where the system shifts from manifesting one set of qualities to another.
CAS tend to organize to a 'critical state' where, regardless of the scale of a given input, the scale of corresponding output observes of a power-law distribution.
Self-organization refers to processes whereby coordinated patterns or behaviors manifest in a system without the need for top-down control.
'Scale-free' networks are ones in which identical system structure is observed for any level of network magnification.
Complex systems are composed of agents governed by simple input/output rules that determine their behaviors.
Complex System behaviors often exhibit power-laws: with a small number of system features wielding a large amount of system impact.
'Path-dependent' systems are ones where the system's history matters - the present state is contingent upon random factors that governed system unfolding, and that could have easily resulted in other viable trajectories.
Open & dissipative systems, while 'bounded' by internal dynamics, nonetheless exchange energy with their external environment.
Network theory allows us think about how the dynamics of agent interactions in a complex system can affect the performance of that system.
CAS systems unfold over time, with agents continuously adjusting behaviors in response to feedback. Each iteration moves the system towards more coordinated, complex behaviors.
What drives complexity? The answer involves a kind of sorting of the differences the system must navigate. These differences can be understood as flows of energy or information.
Complex Adaptive Systems become more 'fit' over time. Depending on the system, Fitness can take many forms, but all involve states that achieve more while expending less energy.
Feedback loops occur in system where an environmental input guides system behavior, but the system behavior (the output), in turn alters the environmental context.
Left to themselves, systems tend towards regimes that become increasingly homogenous or neutral: complex systems differ - channeling continuous energy flows, gaining structure, and thereby operating far from equilibrium.
'Degrees of freedom' is the way to describe the potential range of behaviors available within a given system. Without some freedom for a system to change its state, no complex adaptation can occur.
Cybernetics is the study of systems that self-regulate: Adjusting their own performance to keep aligned with a pre-determined outcome, using processes of negative-feedback to help self-correct.
Complex Systems can unfold in multiple trajectories. However, there may be trajectories that are more stable or 'fit'. Such states are considered 'attractor states'.
Photo Credit and Caption: Credit: Matthew Rader via Unspash
Cite this page:
Wohl, S. (2022, 3 June). Core Concepts. Retrieved from https://kapalicarsi.wittmeyer.io/taxonomy/key-concepts
Core Concepts was updated June 3rd, 2022.
Nothing over here yet
Navigating Complexity © 2015-2024 Sharon Wohl, all rights reserved. Developed by Sean Wittmeyer
Sign In (SSO) | Sign In
Related (this page): Tipping Points (218), Self-Organized Criticality (64), Self-Organization (214), Scale-Free (217), Rules (213), Power Laws (66), Path Dependency (93), Open / Dissipative (84), Networks (75), Iterations (56), Information (73), Fitness (59), Feedback (88), Far From Equilibrium (212), Degrees of Freedom (78), Cybernetics (53), Attractor States (72),
Section:
Non-Linearity Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Modeling (11, fields), Resilient Urbanism (14, fields), Relational Geography (19, fields), Landscape Urbanism (15, fields), Evolutionary Geography (12, fields), Communicative Planning (18, fields), Assemblage Geography (20, fields), Tipping Points (218, concepts), Path Dependency (93, concepts), Far From Equilibrium (212, concepts),
Nested Orders Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Modeling (11, fields), Urban Informalities (16, fields), Resilient Urbanism (14, fields), Self-Organized Criticality (64, concepts), Scale-Free (217, concepts), Power Laws (66, concepts),
Emergence Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Modeling (11, fields), Urban Informalities (16, fields), Urban Datascapes (28, fields), Incremental Urbanism (13, fields), Evolutionary Geography (12, fields), Communicative Planning (18, fields), Assemblage Geography (20, fields), Self-Organization (214, concepts), Fitness (59, concepts), Attractor States (72, concepts),
Driving Flows Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Datascapes (28, fields), Tactical Urbanism (17, fields), Relational Geography (19, fields), Parametric Urbanism (10, fields), Landscape Urbanism (15, fields), Evolutionary Geography (12, fields), Communicative Planning (18, fields), Assemblage Geography (20, fields), Open / Dissipative (84, concepts), Networks (75, concepts), Information (73, concepts),
Bottom-up Agents Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Modeling (11, fields), Urban Informalities (16, fields), Resilient Urbanism (14, fields), Parametric Urbanism (10, fields), Incremental Urbanism (13, fields), Evolutionary Geography (12, fields), Communicative Planning (18, fields), Rules (213, concepts), Iterations (56, concepts),
Adaptive Capacity Related (same section): Related (all): Urban Modeling (11, fields), Urban Informalities (16, fields), Tactical Urbanism (17, fields), Parametric Urbanism (10, fields), Landscape Urbanism (15, fields), Incremental Urbanism (13, fields), Evolutionary Geography (12, fields), Feedback (88, concepts), Degrees of Freedom (78, concepts),