Complexity
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== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
| - | It is inherently | + | It is inherently difficult to give a clear and concise definition of complexity. Maya Paczuski argues that "There seems to be a trade-off between precision in the definition and generality of the definition" [http://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity/node/151]. Complexity is a term which is very difficult to define, because it describes something which is hard to define. There are roughly two ways to define complexity: first, as the amount of difficulty in the process of understanding, describing and explaining systems ("how much effort is needed in the description process" or the length of the description). This dynamic view considers complexity as a part of a description and explanation process. |
Second, we can define complexity independent of the description process as a system property ("how is a system organized and structured" or the length of the blueprint) related to organization and structure. This organizational view considers complexity as a static property of a system, and depends on the number of parts, interactions, structures on the different scales of the system. | Second, we can define complexity independent of the description process as a system property ("how is a system organized and structured" or the length of the blueprint) related to organization and structure. This organizational view considers complexity as a static property of a system, and depends on the number of parts, interactions, structures on the different scales of the system. | ||
