Wendell Jones has published an excellent introductory essay on complex adaptive systems on Beyond Tractability. Although his specific focus is conflict resolution, he does a good job of explaining the key differences between adaptive versus determined systems, and complex versus complicated systems. Jones also makes an interesting observation on western approaches to knowledge and science and how these approaches might actually be impediments to our understanding of complex systems:
"Those of us embedded in European or North American cultures face a significant challenge in understanding and describing complex social systems such as complex intractable conflicts. There are epistemological assumptions so deeply embedded in these cultures' education and worldview, that one is not even generally aware of them. However, these assumptions make it difficult to understand and/or deal with complexity. These assumptions include:These assumptions have proven marvelously potent in developing our understanding of the physical world. They have served less well, however, in illuminating how communities of humans interact and behave. It is not for lack of intense effort that these assumptions have fallen short; the social sciences, in the second half of the 20th century, were dedicated to applying these principles to human phenomena."
- Every observed effect has an observable cause.
- Even very complicated phenomena can be understood through analysis. That is, the whole can be understood by taking it apart and studying the pieces.
- Sufficient analysis of past events can create the capacity to predict future events.
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