Microstructures and dynamic processes within the five-phase system:Regarding COVID-19 as a complex system

摘要

The research uses the development of 2019 novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)in the human body as an example to explore the microstructures and dynamic processes of a concise complex system from the lens of the five-phase system.Based on the structural balance theory and system dynamics,the research finds that Iransitive triads and cyclic triads in the fivephase system are both imbalanced.The integration of these differentiated triads comprises of a balaneed intermediate form in the shape of quadrangular cycles.These cycles serve as microstructures of the five-phase system,due to the inherent balancing feedback mechanism,and support the generation of resultants.The alter nation of quadra ngular cycles drives the spirali ng development of the whole system.By orderly and regular in terweaving of sig ned directed links,the research provides a holistic,process-oriented demonstrati on for the developme nt processes of COVID-19.It clarifies that the esse nee of the five-phase system is phase-tra nsition processes with the quadrangular cycle as carrier and supporter,rather than the static aggregati on of five elements.The research deep ens the understanding of system non linearity by visualizi ng the circular causality and promotes the academic dialogue between the Western process theory and the Chinese inherited notion of the fivephase system.