Structure of Knowledge - A Morphology of Metal Models in a Man-Machine System Context

摘要

The report is a working paper which describes an illustrates different forms of mental representations of the functional properties of a physical system as found in a man-machine system context. The outlines of a morphology of such models are discussed in terms of different levels of abstraction related to physical form; physical function; functional structure; abstract function; and functional meaning or purpose. The distinction between deterministic quantitative models based on variables and relations, and causal, qualitative models based on objects or functions which have properties and interact by events, is discussed. The dependency of the different levels of abstraction upon representation of aspects of the material basis of the system versus aspects of human reasons for the existence of the system is described. Finally, the different strategies of humans to cope with complexity is briefly discussed in the context of the morphology. (Author)