Complexity

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Complexity is a term that describes the behavior of a system or model whose components interact in multiple ways and follow local rules, meaning there is no reasonable higher instruction to define the various possible interactions.[1]

The study of these complex systems is known as Complexity science, and it is a broad field that includes systems theory, network theory, and non-linear dynamics. Complexity is often used to characterize something with many parts where those parts interact with each other in multiple ways, culminating in a higher order of emergence greater than the sum of its parts.

Characteristics of Complexity[edit | edit source]

Complexity has certain characteristics that differentiate it from other concepts. These include:

  • Emergence - Larger patterns arise through interactions among smaller or simpler entities that themselves do not exhibit such properties.
  • Self-organization - Systems that spontaneously order themselves into a pattern.
  • Adaptation - The ability of a system to adjust its internal structure in response to changes in its environment.
  • Non-linearity - The output is not proportional to the input.
  • Interconnectedness - The various parts of a system interact with and rely on each other.

Complexity in Different Fields[edit | edit source]

Complexity is a concept that is used in various fields of study, including:

  • Physics - In physics, complexity is related to the thermodynamics of systems.
  • Biology - In biology, complexity is associated with the study of life and biological systems.
  • Sociology - In sociology, complexity is used to understand social systems and human behavior.
  • Economics - In economics, complexity is used to model economic systems and markets.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Complexity Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD