Tag Archives: complexity theory

Complexity theory

This book is designed to be an overview to the core concepts within complexity theory, presented in an intuitive form that should be accessible to anyone with an interest in the subject. Complexity theory is an exciting new area that is offering … Continue reading

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Complexity explained

Complexity science also called complex systems science, studies how a large collection of components – locally interacting with each other at the small scales – can spontaneously self-organize to exhibit non-trivial global structures and behaviors at larger scales, often without external … Continue reading

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Teaching to emerge: Toward a bottom-up pedagogy

This paper focuses on the conceptual model of an academic course inspired by complexity theory. In the proposed conceptual model, the aim of teaching is to form a learning organization: a knowledge community with emergent properties that cannot be reduced … Continue reading

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Educational Philosophy and the Challenge of Complexity Theory

Complexity theory challenges educational philosophy to reconsider accepted paradigms of teaching, learning and educational research. However, though attractive, not least because of its critique of positivism, its affinity to Dewey and Habermas, and its arguments for openness, diversity, relationships, agency and creativity, the … Continue reading

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Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences: An Introduction

Chaos and complexity are the new buzzwords in both science and contemporary society. The ideas they represent have enormous implications for the way we understand and engage with the world. Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences introduces students to the … Continue reading

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Perspectives on Organizational Change – Systems and Complexity Theories

It is becoming increasingly important for organizations to gain competitive advantage by being able to manage and survive change. This paper presents two theoretical paradigms (systems and complexity theories) through which organizational change processes can be fruitfully examined. Systems and … Continue reading

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Autopoiesis and Spirituality

The term “autopoiesis” was introduced by Maturana and Varela around 1972 by combining the Greek words auto (self-) and poiesis (creation, production) to refer to the mechanism by which living systems continually produce themselves as autonomous unities. “When we speak … Continue reading

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Complexity and Semiosis of Human Life

From experience everybody knows that life dynamics are complex. Life phenomena, events and processes emerge out of interaction of many interwoven factors. Complex is the physical organization of human body, extremely complex is the emotional life of people, their thoughts, … Continue reading

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Complex Adaptive Systems in the Behavioral and Social Sciences

This article examines applications of complexity theory within the behavioral and social sciences. Specific attention is given to the fundamental characteristics of complex adaptive systems (CAS) — such as individuals, groups, and societies — including the underlying structure of CAS, … Continue reading

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The Growth of Structural and Functional Complexity during Evolution

Although the growth of complexity during evolution seems obvious to most observers, it has recently been questioned whether such increase objectively exists. The present paper tries to clarify the issue by analysing the concept of complexity as a combination of … Continue reading

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