using systems metaphors to interpret the edge of chaos

摘要

Traditionally, and since the times of Newton, Bacon and Descrtes, science has tried to eplain the world through fixed laws, as is the case of the laws of motion, gravity and fluid dynamics, among may others. Consequently, cause and effect relations seem to have dominated the interpreations of natural phenomena. The basic assumption is that once the rules are known it is possible to predict the future and intervene in order to alter the behaviour of any system. This way of reasoning and understanding still predominates in most sciences and evidently obeys to a paradigm: understand the laws, and you'll understand the uniuerse. Newtonian determinism.