system definitions

systems...

A diversty of definitions abound. Many provide very general definitions - not necessarily beneficial, as noted by Catanese and Steiss:

A system, for example, may be defined as any entity, physical or conceptual, which is composed of interrelated parts.  This is a widely held definition of a system; yet, it is so broad as to include virtually any interdependent set of activities or things… (Catanese and Steiss 1968:173)

As another example of generality, consider a comment from Morgan:

Virtually anything can be defined as a system by drawing a boundary (Morgan 1997: 387)

While I question Morgan's method of definition, [aside] I agree on the ubiquitous nature of the concept. In contrast to the criticism, however, this generality is part of the point - such as, for example, in the context of a General System Theory (GST). Von Bertalanffy's (1968: 33) loose definition of 'system' - "complexes of elements standing in interaction" - was intended to make the concept applicable across diverse disciplines as a means for communication and integration.

[2] Most authors also provide substantial detail regarding their conceptions. It is here the diversity emerges. Since the advent of GST, 'system' has come to hold many different meanings for many different people, practices, disciplines and philosophies. While the general definition has encouraged broad application, broad application has, in turn, given rise to more specific definitions. I have used continua and matrices to illustrate the variation among definitions.

[3] Given my desire to emphasize relations instead of boundaries as a means of defining system, the definitional continuum - as one possibility of many - draws attention to whether systems are conceived as bounded entities or as connections among elements. The matrix, draws attention to two other variations: 1) whether systems are conceived as entities-that-exist or a heuristics; and, 2) what degree of complexity they are attributed with. The latter has changed over the years, with increasing emphasis on increasing complexity - where this is interpreted as a specific attribute, rather than as an indication of ignorance or lack of understanding. Questions about their existence, versus their heuristic nature, lead to another discussion.

 

  

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