Systems science

The system science deals with the relationships and interactions in systems.

Target

It is the goal of systems science to analyze the structure of a system in order to understand the behavior of the system and be able to make statements about future developments. The science system is based on the assumption that similar structures occur in different disciplines and is thus an interdisciplinary science. So simple models of population dynamics in the economy, for example, from the mathematical biology are transferred to the market and its saturation with a new product (see Logistic growth ).

Areas

The science system can be divided into the following areas:

• Systems theory
• Systems analysis
• Systems Engineering ( Cybernetics )

This division is not precisely shown in the majority of cases, the boundaries of the regions is fluid. However, it may hold some key features of each area.

The system theory treats rather basic principles and definitions, such as what is actually meant by a system. Here, a possible general concept of system is desired which can be applied to problems in diverse disciplines.

The system analysis deals directly with the behavior and the structure of systems. Important methods here are the modeling and simulation. The modeling techniques range from word models to mathematical models, eg Differential equations or agent-based models, which often also allow for the simulation of the system performance. The different models complement each other and build on each other mostly.

The technology ( or cybernetics ), however, is more interested in managing and controlling of most technical systems. The system technique, closely related in connection with technical systems is the control technology.

The guiding principle of mutatis mutandis adopted by Aristotle systems science is " the whole is more than the sum of its parts". This indicates that it can not be concluded that the behavior of the entire system by the knowledge of the properties of individual system components. We call this phenomenon as the emergence.