FIELD THEORY (Unified)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1271 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
K.DE GREENE has proposed the following structure for a “Unified field theory”, giving for each contributing theory the main constructs.
- “-Field theory in particle physics
Field
Force
Only totally meaningful
System-environment interaction
Attraction and repulsion
Inherent instability
- “-Field theory of critical phenomena
Critical point
Correlation of elements
Trigger-and-ripple effect
Phase transition
Order parameter
Collective behavior
- “-Chaos theory
Deterministic disorder
Inherent unpredictability
Source of new information
- “- Synergetics
Micro-macro interaction
Spontaneous behavior
Order parameter (Extended)
Stochastic/deterministic behavior
Nonequilibrium phase transitions
Critical behaviors
- “- Catastrophe theory
Catastrophe discontinuities
Exogenous forces (Control parameters)
Deterministic behavior
Equilibrium focus
Multistability
Hysteresis path
- “- Dissipative structure theory
Thermodynamically open systems
Driving role of fluctuations
Stochastic/deterministic behavior
Nonequilibrium/far-from-equilibrium focus
Self-organization
Structural change
- “- System dynamics
Informationally closed system
Feedback loop structure
Endogenous behavior generation
Deterministic behavior
Equilibrium/desequilibrium focus“ (1994, p.18).
This quite complete synthesis emphasizes the convergence of a number of independently emerged theories and concepts within the general frame of reference of cybernetics and systemics and the corresponding methodologies.
Many interesting linkages propositions could be proposed and fruitfully explored
In a different spirit, the French biologist H. PRAT did propose a theory of the “Unitary field” in biology (1964).