H. Simon, Sciences of the Artificial. 1969.

Author of the summary: J. William Murdock, 1997, murdock@cc.gatech.edu

Cite this paper for:

• "... one path to the construction of a nontrivial theory of complex systems is by way of a theory of hierarchy."

Keywords: Science, System, Hierarchy

Systems: None

Summary: Chapter 1: Distinguishes between natural and "artificial"
sciences.  Discusses the relationship between artifacts and
environments.  Proposes that descriptions of artifacts can be viewed
as "interfaces", i.e. interactions between internal and external
environments.  Examines the role of computers to this theory, both as
tools for simulating systems and as complex systems in their own
right.  Notes that one key example of simulation is the simulation of
human intelligence.

Chapter 4 (Chapters 7, second edition): Suggests the idea of a domain
independent "general systems theory."  Argues that hierarchical
organization is a key component of a wide variety of complex systems.
Further argues that the process of evolution inherently tends toward
hierarchical systems.  Provides a wide variety of examples.  Discusses
a class of systems called "nearly decomposable systems" which can be
viewed as hierarchical to a reasonable degree of approximation.
Observes that hierarchical systems can generally be described more
elegantly than completely chaotic systems.  Discusses the relationship
between state and process descriptions (e.g. a mathematical definition
of a circle and a construction algorithm for a circle).  Further
relates this topic to the relationship between ontogeny and phylogeny
in biology and other fields.

Summary author's notes:

• This summary came from a file which had the following disclaimer: "The following summaries are the completely unedited and often hastily composed interpretations of a single individual without any sort of systematic or considered review. As such it is very likely that at least some of the following text is incomplete, inadequate, misleading, or simply wrong. One might view this as a very preliminary draft of a survey paper that will probably never be completed. The author disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy or use of this document; this is not an official publication of the Georgia Institute of Technology or the College of Computing thereof, and the opinions expressed here may not even fully match the fully considered opinions of the author much less the general opinions of the aformentioned organizations."