Similar Differences:

Introduction:

Systems Theory focuses on finding common abstractions among seemingly separate fields.

"Similar" Defined:

Where is the benefit in this? The approach taken here, will show that when dogmatic perspectives can be aligned between differing fields of study, one discipline's structure can support the other. It can be argued that given a wide tolerance in causal events, any explanation of benefit among different fields can be observed. For example, claiming that an individuals parents shape the destiny of their children's entire life experiences may be valid within a biological perspective. "He has his mother's eyes, and the feet of his father.", for example: obviously growth is initiated by a birth event. Given a long enough time children will outgrow the initial structure they obtain from their parents. Simply, a human's free will and unpredictable-behavioral-influences will change a child; a life time of experiences can not be credited to the parents of a child. Pragmatic benefits can result from the study of similar abstractions between different subjects when the study of one subject clarifies a another subject. Using the example above, we might be able to understand a person's behavior by studying their parents. But we should not go too far with our conclusions by comparing too large a set of personal mannerisms.

So how do we know we have found a similar paradigm? Obviously we need to compare our findings within each field of study separately. In this way we can discern the appropriateness of our modeling; and if we need to, we can change the model to the fit the pre-existent symbology of the differing fields.

Education Example:

A clear example of the benefit of systems theory is in the field of Education. Through the use of simple axioms, complex relations can be developed. Euclid's development of geometric axioms lead to theorems built upon few accepted 'truths'. Euclid created these axioms; but systems theory does not create models, but rather extracts processes of analysis from one field of theory and applies it to another.

The Glynn County School System in Georgia uses a software package called STELLA II to teach interrelationships within physics, biology, and business classes. STELLA II is used in middle schools and High Schools in Glynn County with great success as a new teaching tool. In fact, results are so good that new projects are being planned to expand the number of STELLA II's subjects. This represents the power of Systems Theory thinking in readjusting our learning techniques; students are able to learn about the relationships between several varied subjects. The interrelationships between fields of study illuminate subtle processes not apparent within one field. So when processes are compared to distant processes the contours of understanding can sometimes be better exposed.

Noticing such differences ( and yes, sometimes similarities ) between fields of study can give us the perception of where the limits of a subject may fall. For example, is an animal a composition of molecular forces (Chemistry) or is it the extension of programmed genes (Biology)? Douglas Hofstadter, in his book Godel, Escher, Bach , writes:

Of course, there are cases where only a rare individual will have the vision to perceive a system which governs many peoples' lives, a system which had never before even been recognized as a system; then such people often devote their lives to convincing other people that the system really is there, and that it ought to be exited from!

Indeed, when enough insight about a new field of study is accumulated, a new field is created. Notice the number of new sciences which have started in this century alone. Could these be the result of the "information age"? Have we as a race of animals become more perceptive? What do Bio-physics, social-computing, or Ergonomics concentrate upon? Simply, it is true that many fields of study are interrelated by the inherent processes which surface from the extended study of a particular science.

System Example:

So with all this interconnection, when does the study of Systems become irrelevant? Stafford Beer in his article, On Suicidal Rabbits: A Relativity of Systems, suggests that the rabbit who is shot by a passing hunter jumps up to meet the bullet. This explanation comforts the conscience of the guilty hunter - the rabbit may observe the shooting differently. That is, a system which defines the limits of foreign interpretations upon itself, may at the same time distort these interpretations. But this is not to say that real benefits cannot come from interpretive limits - these limits are needed to make the transition from one symbology to another symbology a pragmatic event. For example, what could one call the study of the study of Cybernetics - would it be the science of control and communication when one studies control and communication?

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I will make an example from an experience which I had while studying Electronics at DeVry Institute in Phoenix. I was an aimless student - always looking for creativity in the seemingly sterile differences between electronic components. One technique which helped me with the subject of Electronics was comparing electronic components and human personalities:

• Capacitors had the ability to hold back from acing rashly - they could store knowledge to be used later when called upon.
• Resistors always resisted.
• Transistors could discern subtle changes in one enviornment and transfer this knowledge to some other aspect of their 'lives' - somethimes with increased awareness.
• Inductors, on the other hand, would resist only sharp changes in their environment - it was best to deal with Inductors slowly and purposely.

Many different fields of study can sometimes be linked together to expose more about their structure. Yet, in doing this comparison, one needs to recognize the limits of how much information is relevant - surly some transformation between one symbology to another is needed. Sometimes an exterior system of symbology is present which has a pre-defined structure of its own - as with the first example, where Mathematics linked two different physical properties.

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