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Cited by 39Philosophy of Biology and Scientific ExplanationComplex Systems and DynamicsChaos, Complexity, and Education

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Complexity: against systems

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Chu, Dominique·2011·Theory in Biosciences
DOI 10.1007/s12064-011-0121-4
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Abstract

This article assumes a specific intuitive notion of complexity as a difficulty to generate and/or assess the plausibility of models. Based on this intuitive understanding of complexity, it identifies two main causes of complexity, namely, radical openness and contextuality. The former is the idea that there are no natural systems. The modeler always needs to draw artificial boundaries around phenomena to generate feasible models. Contextuality is intimately connected to the requirement to simplify models and to leave out most aspects. Complexity occurs when contextuality and radical openness cannot be contained that is when it is not clear where the boundaries of the system are and which abstractions are the correct ones. This concept of complexity is illustrated using a number of example from evolution.

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Metadata

Authors
Chu, D.
Affiliations
University of Kent (GB)
Corresponding author
Chu, Dominique
ORCID
Chu, Dominique
Venue
Theory in Biosciences
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-02-02
Volume
130
Issue
3
Pages
229-245
ISSN
  • 1431-7613 (ISSN-L)
  • 1611-7530
DOI
10.1007/s12064-011-0121-4
OpenAlex
W2076501318
Cited by
39
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
FWCI
26.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Theory in Biosciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Universitetet i Bergen
  • Norges Forskningsråd
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy of Biology and Scientific Explanation
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Systems and Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Chaos, Complexity, and Education
Keywords
complexity, systems, radical openness, contextuality, model reduction, abstraction, model plausibility, evolution, philosophy of biology
MeSH terms
Biological Evolution, Models, Theoretical, Systems Biology

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Chu, D. (2011). Complexity: against systems. Theory in Biosciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12064-011-0121-4