MAXIMIZATION vs. OPTIMIZATION
Charles François (2004). MAXIMIZATION vs. OPTIMIZATION, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 2033.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 2033 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
In the linear perspective, optimization is frequently confused with maximization. This problem arises from the belief that some function, supposedly independent of context (the famous mental jingle “… et ceteris paribus”) can be (and should be) maximized. However, in complex systems, which are always nonlinear, true optimization requires the best possible reciprocal harmonization of the different functions of the system, which can be obtained only through a repeated balancing act within the global network.