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System

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System (from the Latin (systēma), and this from the Greek σύστημα (sustēma)) is an assemblage of [[wiktionary:element|elements]] comprising a whole with each element related to other elements. Any element which has no relationship with any other element of the system, cannot be a part of that system. A subsystem is then a set of elements which is a proper subset of the whole system.

Every division of an object/entity into systems is arbitrary, therefore it is a subjective abstract concept. The scientific research field which is engaged in the transdisciplinary study of universal systemic properties of the World is the General System Theory or Systems science, it investigates the abstract properties of the matter and mind, their organization, searching concepts and principles which are independent on the specific domain, independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scales of existence.

Contents

Background

Within arbritary boundaries, a collection of interrelated components (or, subsystems) may be declared a system and may further be abstracted to be declared a component of a larger system. Systems enable "activities" to be performed. (It is tempting to say that systems enable "things" to be done— but that is confusing in this context). An engineering example of a system is often a circuit or a physical series (but such a system does not have to physically exist).

Depending on the type of system, a system can often be distinguished from individual (simple) machines, elements or processes of that system by the number, arrangements and complexity of those elements. For example, a pulley is a machine, but an elevator, which incorporates pulleys (amongst other components), is a system. Going to the doctor is a process, but health care is a system.

In the natural world, one would declare that there are systems. For example, the solar system of nine planets orbiting the sun. Isaac Newton's Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis Book 3 is De mundi systemate (On the system of the world). In the human body, such systems are referred to as the nervous system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the reproductive system, and the respiratory system. The entire body is also referred to as a system in terms of physiology.

In addition, all so-called "things"—namely objects—are actually systems. For example, a cup is an object, but it is also a system for holding hot or cold liquid, or other material. The cup has a certain shape and a handle, it is made of non-porous material and so on, and it is put together in such a way as to provide a useful function. Describing this thing makes up information, and defines a system. It might be supposed that there can be an infinite regression or progression of such systems, but in a finite world, all things come to an end (perhaps at the level of quarks, leptons, and photons at one end and the Universe at the other).

A number of material points considered simultaneously is called a system of material points, or briefly a system, if some common principle may be said to govern the collection.
(H.Hertz 1956, p. 46, §6)

Types of systems

There are numerous types of systems according to the criteria used, for example:

- An open system has a discrete number of interfaces to allow the exchange of matter, energy or information with its surrounding environment. Therefore, a system may be said to be any assemblage which accepts an input, processes it, and produces an output. (see Information Processor) That is, an open system has an external interface in which matter, energy, information goes from outside to one or more internal element(s), which transduces this input via the original or other element(s) (e.g., by passing it among internal elements via internal interfaces), and an external interface through which results flow from some one or more internal element(s) to outside the system. - A closed system is self-contained in such a way that outside events have no influence upon the system. In this case there is no possible exchange of matter, energy or information with the surrouding environment. After a period of time all internal activity within a closed system will stop.

In practice many systems have a variable relation with their surroundings (Dynamic systems). For example a prison is a closed system because the prisoners can't get out, and the wardens spend most of their time at the prison. However it is also an open system, because it depends on outside factors and the prisoners and wardens do go outside.

- Physical systems or thermodynamic systems are systems based only on matter and energy. The elements (or [[wiktionary:component|component]]s) of a physical system [[wiktionary:interface|interface]] enable the 'flow' of information, matter and energy.

- Conceptual systems are made up of ideas and information. Conceptual systems generally exist to aid in the accomplishment of specific goals or may be used to model physical systems.

- A Living system refers to parts or a complete living organism, members of a group of organisms, or groups of organisms that interact with other groups of organisms. Living systems interact with inanimate elements of its environment. Living systems are the main object of study of biology:

Cell -- Organ system -- Animal -- Ecosystem

Human systems are a sub-system of the living systems which are particular case study of sociology and psychology as their present form, and anthropology studies their evolution:

Human -- Couple -- Family -- Society -- Civilization

A system may also be a set of [[wiktionary:rule|rules]] for governing behavior or organisation. For example:

Systems in information and computer science

In computer science and information science, system could also be a method or an algorithm. Again, an example will illustrate: There are systems of counting, as with Roman numerals, and various systems for filing papers, or catalogues, and various library systems, of which the Dewey Decimal System is an example. This still fits with the definition of components which are connected together (in this case in order to facilitate the flow of information).

System can also be used referring to a framework, be it software or hardware, designed to allow software to run, see platform.

Systems in operations research and management science

In operations research and organizational development (OD), organizations are viewed as human systems (conceptual systems) of interacting components such as sub-systems, processes and organizational structures. Organizational development theorist Peter Senge developed the notion of organizations as systems in his book The Fifth Discipline.

Systems thinking is a leadership competency. Some people can think globally while acting locally. Such people consider the potential consequences of their decisions on other parts of larger systems. This is a basis of systemic coaching.

Organizational theorists such as Margaret Wheatley have also described the workings of organizational systems in new contexts, such as quantum physics, chaos theory, and the self-organization of systems.

See also

References

External links

 

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