System
From SystemsWiki
The concept of System forms the foundation of Sysems Thinking. This video introduces a working definition of System along wth characteristics and examples of Systems.
- On the next recording add comments about Systems Classifications
- Alternate Definition of System. "there is a glob of interactions around which I construct an artificial boundary and it is that which is within the boundary that I have chosen to address as the endo-glob, outside that boundary is the exo-glob which the endo-glob interacts with in some way. As I investigate the endo-glob, and it's interactions with the exo-glob, I can change the definition of the endo-glob by moving the boundary as seems appropriate based on the developing understanding and intent."
- Ackoff said in several of his videos that a system it not the sum its part but the product of its interactions.
- I would modify your definition of a system as follows. “A system is an entity that maintains its existence through the mutual interaction of its parts to achieve a specific goal or goals.” Any system has some sort of goal(s) that it is trying to achieve and that should be part of its definition. Any system does something and does not merely sit there with its interacting components doing nothing. - Richard Wright [12.06.10]
- While Bertalanffy used many definitions of a system the one that I found most succinct was "A system is an entity that maintains its existence though the mutual interaction of its parts." Though now that we've had this exchange I think I'd change the wording to "A system is an entity, the existence of which is maintained through the mutual interaction of its parts." Or to quote Ackoff, "A system is not the sum of its parts but the product of their interactions." - Bellinger [12.07.12]
- "A system is an entity whose existence is dependent upon the relationship between its parts and between their attributes". - David Alman [12.07.15]
- A system is an organized totality, made of interdependent items that can be defined only by considering ones to the others and according to their place in this totality. -- Saussure - cited by Edgar Morin in "La nature de la nature", La méthode, tome 1
- Submitted by Nicolas Stampf [12.10.08]
Components
Related Concepts
- Systemic Strategy > Systems Thinking
- Boundary
- Emergence
- Behavior
- Feedback
- Systems Classifications
- Systems Science
References
- Systems Theory Video Segment of Mind Walk Series
- On The Mismatch Between Systems and Their Models by Russell L. Ackoff and Jamshid Gharajedaghi
- Systems Classifications Several different models that have been proposed to identify different types of systems.
- ON THE MAKING OF A SYSTEM THEORY OF LIFE: PAUL A WEISS AND LUDWIG VON BERTALANFFY’S CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION by Manred Drack, Wilfried Apfalter and David Pouvreau
| Systems Thinking World Discussions Systems Thinking World Q&A * Gene Bellinger |
