Complexity as a contrast between dynamics and phenomenology

Abstract

I will present results from a novel analysis of complexity definitions. I will argue that the vast majority of complexity definitions can be interpreted as requiring di↵erent combinations of di↵erent technical embodiments of five core criteria for complexity: the three dynamical criteria of the existence of many components, determinism and indeterminism; and the two phenomenological criteria of regularity and irregularity. Furthermore, I will show thatwhile di↵erent complexity definitions require di↵erent and even exclusive combinations of these criteria-all complexity definitions require contrasting dynamical and phenomenological criteria, i.e. determinism in combination with irregularity or indeterminism in combination with irregularity. Therefore, a contrast between dynamics and phenomenology appears to constitute the conceptual heart of complexity science. I will then propose that the existence of such dyanmics-phenomenology contrasts should be used as a minimal definition of the concept of complexity. Furthermore, I will show that such contrasts constitute a kind of epistemological emergence.

Regimes of Evidence in Complexity Sciences

“…Complexity sciences have been studied more by philosophers (Wimsatt 1994;Rescher 1998;Cilliers and Spurrett 1999;Knyazeva 2005;Aziz-Alaoui and Bertelle 2009;Hooker 2011;Fraisopi 2012;Taborsky 2014;Zuchowski 2018) than by social scientists (Helmreich 1998;Williams 2012;Li Vigni 2020b). To establish the five regimes listed in this section, I have gathered the verbal and written testimonies from complexity scientists about the way they arrange and mobilize data, models, graphs, objects, and discourses in order to defend the solidity of a dataset, a technique, or a result.…”

Complexity in Multilingualism (Research)

“…So dynamic systems theory and related research do allow for examples in which novel kind of phenomena emerge in some or the other sense in some systems, but not in others, and it as arguable that this emergence is characteristic of complexity (cf. Zuchowski, 2018). But so far, pure theoretical (as opposed to empirical) research about multilingualism seems still quite far from showing that new types of things emerge in a suitable way.…”

Pemaknaan Perempuan Kepala Keluarga terhadap Pesan-Pesan Pada Radio Komunitas Pekka FM

“…Perbedaan budaya ada kemungkinan akan menyebabkan permasalahan komunikasi, hal ini wajar dan mesti dimaklumi, tidak menjadikan kita lebih agresif apalagi sampai bermusuhan (Muchtar, Koswara & Setiaman, 2016). Dalam tradisi fenomenologi yang mengacu pada sifat-sifat suatu sistem perilaku yang dapat diamati yang memiliki kriteria beraturan dan tidak beraturan (Zuchowski, 2018) Nina Syam (2009: 165-166) mengungkapkan bahwa Fenomenologi merupakan studi tentang bagaimana seorang manusia mencari pengalaman di dunia. Ia melihat objek dan even dalam perspektif komunikator yang dalam praktek komunikasinya mengaitkan antara pemahaman dan nilai-nilai manusia dengan keberlanjutan yang dibangun secara sosial melalui komunikasi dengan orang lain (Alexandrescu et al, 2016).…”