# Systems theory Systems theory studies cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components—natural or designed—whose collective behavior arises from structure, function, boundary conditions, and dynamic interactions rather than the sum of parts. It emphasizes [[Emergence|emergence]], equifinality, hierarchy, [[Feedback|feedback]], and adaptive goal-seeking across nested scales, providing transdisciplinary principles applicable from [[Biology|biology]] and [[Ecosystem|ecosystems]] to [[Economics|economics]], engineering, and management. <!-- LEGACYSIM:BEGIN v1.5 — generated by g03_mint_wave.py; three.js first; do not hand-edit inside --> ## Microsims (promoted from legacy — three.js first) ### MicroSim spec - **Recommended sim type:** particle/agent simulation - **Microsimmability score:** 92/100 - **Layout:** agent field (canvas) on top with an order-parameter readout; sliders below. ### Parameters (tunable controls) - `Number of agents N` - `Interaction radius` - `Coupling strength` ### What animates Many simple agents follow local rules; a global pattern emerges and shifts as the rule parameters change. ### Learning objective Show how local agent rules produce emergent global order. ### MicroSim spec ### Parameters (tunable controls) - `Components` · 3–50 · elements inside the [[System|system]] boundary - `Feedback gain` · -2–2 · strength/sign of inter-element feedback - `Openness` · 0–1 · exchange rate with the external environment ### What animates A boxed system exchanges with its environment while internal feedback reshapes its state. ### Learning objective Show how feedback and openness shape a system's behaviour as a whole. <!-- LEGACYSIM:END --> ## Reveal %%REVEAL:mermaid%% %%REVEAL:svg%% --- *Concept aligned with [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory); adapted text, where present, is licensed [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).* ## Overview The field crystallized around [[Ludwig_von_Bertalanffy|Ludwig von Bertalanffy]]'s general systems program and the circular-causality school of [[Cybernetics|cybernetics]] built by [[Norbert_Wiener|Norbert Wiener]], [[W._Ross_Ashby|W. Ross Ashby]], [[Gregory_Bateson|Gregory Bateson]], and [[Margaret_Mead|Margaret Mead]], with [[Talcott_Parsons|Talcott Parsons]] and [[Niklas_Luhmann|Niklas Luhmann]] carrying the program into social theory and [[Systems_biology|systems biology]] carrying it into the life sciences. Its formal backbone runs through the mathematics of the [[Dynamical_system|dynamical system]], [[Chaos_theory|chaos theory]], [[Graph_theory|graph theory]], and [[Information_theory|information theory]]. Working descendants include [[System_dynamics|system dynamics]] with its [[Stock_and_flow|stocks and flows]], the study of the [[Complex_system|complex system]] and [[Self-organization|self-organization]], executable worlds like the [[Agent-based_model|agent-based model]] and [[Cellular_automaton|cellular automaton]], and the design disciplines of [[Systems_engineering|systems engineering]] and [[Systems_thinking|systems thinking]]. ## Wikipedia : Wikitube **Strict pair:** [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory) : [Wikitube](https://en.wikitube.io/wiki/Systems_theory) ## Previous hub tags Hubs: `Systems`. Portals: [[PORTAL_Systems]], [[PORTAL_Systems_theory]].