BCSSS

International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

2nd Edition, as published by Charles François 2004 Presented by the Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science Vienna for public access.

About

The International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics was first edited and published by the system scientist Charles François in 1997. The online version that is provided here was based on the 2nd edition in 2004. It was uploaded and gifted to the center by ASC president Michael Lissack in 2019; the BCSSS purchased the rights for the re-publication of this volume in 200?. In 2018, the original editor expressed his wish to pass on the stewardship over the maintenance and further development of the encyclopedia to the Bertalanffy Center. In the future, the BCSSS seeks to further develop the encyclopedia by open collaboration within the systems sciences. Until the center has found and been able to implement an adequate technical solution for this, the static website is made accessible for the benefit of public scholarship and education.

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SYSTEM (Deterministic) 2)

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A system for which "a given time-invariant relation among sampling variables can be expressed in terms of a behavior function" (G. KLIR, 1991, p.58).

In a less abstract and rigorous way, B. BANATHY thus characterizes deterministic systems:

"Systems of this type are more open (note: than rigidly controlled systems) to their environment, but are still closely guarding their boundaries. They have more variables and the relational arrangement of their components is more complex than that of the rigidly controlled type. They still operate in a mechanistic mode with clearly defined purpose and unity of goals

"… Goals are clearly set, and operational objectives are prescribed. Ways and means of operating are self-selected. This type has some limited self-direction.

"… Structure is more complex than that of the rigidly controlled systems, and relationships among the components are also increased. Some minor relational and structural changes can be expected to happen through time. This type of system is still a steady-state system…

"Methods that may be applicable include: Operations research and systems analysis methods, living systems process analysis, information theory based on engineering, negative feedback based cybernetic methods of systems control and adjustment, management by objectives, etc." (1988, p. 29).

BANATHY gives as examples "traditional bureaucracies, centralized (national) educational systems, small business and industry".

Deterministic systems are ill prepared to cope with turbulent environments and are frequently destroyed when confronted to these.

Categories

  • 1) General information
  • 2) Methodology or model
  • 3) Epistemology, ontology and semantics
  • 4) Human sciences
  • 5) Discipline oriented

Publisher

Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science(2020).

To cite this page, please use the following information:

Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (2020). Title of the entry. In Charles François (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics (2). Retrieved from www.systemspedia.org/[full/url]

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