SYSTEM OF ABSTRACT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES

摘要

The goal of this paper is to formulate system principles applicable to all systems. This paper is based on the assumption that the main purpose of the system approach is dealing with complexity, and the main method serving this purpose is analysis-synthesis. It employs methodological analysis that is based on (1) Kant's teaching that system is a concept of reason, applicable to sensible objects only indirectly through theoretical constructs; (2) the Activity Approach view that system ontology should incorporate system methods; and (3) the Aristotelian standard of formulating principles by means of opposition. First, based on analysis of existing definitions of system, this paper identifies the principal system constituents as "unity," "parts," and "interrelationship" and main categorical oppositions as "complex-simple" and "external-internal." Second, the paper analyzes the earliest case of system analysis-synthesis--analysis of names in Plato's dialogue Cratylus--and identifies four stages of analysis-synthesis and four respective representations of system. Plato's method suggests a principal distinction between two types of "parts": (1) "units" that are of the same nature as unity and (2) "elements" that are of a different "simpler" nature. It also suggests a corresponding distinction between two types of "interrelationship": (1) "organization" as interrelationship of units and (2) "structure" as interrelationship of elements. Third, in terms of the categorical crossopposition of Complex-Simple and External-Internal, the paper formulates four system principles of representation: Unity (external and complex), Units (external and simple), Elements (internal and simple), and Structure (internal and complex). The corresponding principles of method are Hierarchy, (external analysis-synthesis of unity in terms of units), Simple Reduction-Production (analysis-synthesis of externally simple units in terms of internally simple elements), Completeness (internal analysis-synthesis of a complete structure in terms of elements), and Complex Reduction-Production (analysis-synthesis of external complex Unity in terms of internal complex structure). Fourth, an ontological picture that incorporates all of the above system principles as a system of principles is constructed. The paper concludes that the formulated principles are the abstract system principles and formulation of the concrete system principles would require unfolding of the abstract categorical cross-opposition into a concrete Aristotelian "attributive construct."