World

[gL.edu] This article gathers contributions being developed by Samir Mehmedi, within the context of the Conceptual clarification about "Information, Knowledge and Philosophy", under the supervisión of J.M. Díaz Nafría.

Teacher's Comments: This article requires the corrections indicated below: The current article deals with only one sense of world, the geographical one, and its conection to the system concept and system perspective, which is relevant to the transdisciplinary elucidation. However, there are other senses which are more relevant to philosophical thinking, as it is the totality of things, or the understanding of what there is, which have deep ontological and epistemological resonances respectivelly. It is worth clarifying these understandings.

Introduction

There are various perspectives from which the world can be described, each perspective shedding light on different aspects of its complexity. Demographic displacements, economic fluctuations and social changes impacted the environment through which the world got shaped continuously. Different world models offer unique view which give opportunity to analyse and interpret these dynamics. Our focus in this paper will be on the aspects that let the world transform from a less organized place to the structured system we live in today. This article explores the intrinsic human drive to form unions and to collaborate with each other, leading to a cooperative mindset characterized by systematic approaches. After that the article shows the influence of adopting the systematic perspective into our nature and its role in globalizing our world. By characterizing the world in this way, we are able to understand how various elements within the system influence and shape one another, leading to the level of globalization our world shows us these days.

Motivations to create a system

Man's striving for security

As described in Thomas Hobbes´ book Leviathan, the necessity of giving personal responsibility to a higher authority is important in order to maintain order. In the opinion of Hobbes, human nature is inherently self-interested and preprogrammed to conflict among adults, which results in a state of insecurity and chaos when centralized power is not given. By giving authority to the government, individuals agree to reject certain freedoms in exchange for security. The concept of establishing order through centralized authority likely afforded human beings the time and energy to focus on the importance of interconnecting their communities. This focus may have centred on the relations within villages, gradually expanding and including the dynamics within cities, then eventually extending to the complex interactions between nations. After societies developed in a much faster way and communication technologies advanced, the interconnection accelerated. Today, we live in a world characterized by globalization. "A system is a complex object every part of which is related to some other component of the same object”. This implies that components within a system are connected to each other and by this highlighting the necessity of a starting point. In our explanation the government emerges as that starting point, providing us human beings with the necessary stabilization we need in order to focus on the pillars of that created system.

Man's willingness to cooperate

Another significant factor contributing to the global connectivity we experience these days is the willingness of individuals to collaborate with one another. By looking back at the earliest developments of our ancestors, as we also did in the previous paragraph, we gain new knowledge about our past at an accelerated pace. Samuela, in her research on Cooperation, defines it as the common work towards a shared goal driven by similar interests. This definition not only helps in understanding the first structures but also shows how cooperation historically has caused the development of small-scale systems. Within these systems, pillars were constructed and improved by us human beings, awaking in us the confidence to go on with more complex systems. As Rousseau highlights it in his philosophy of the Social Contract, the general will is directed towards the public good. This principle appears as a precondition for the motivation of individuals to contribute in the improvement of systems involving strangers.

Economic connectivity

The mentioned principles in the previous section that drive the readiness to construct systems gave us a path for collaboration across various spheres of interaction these days. Early human understanding realized the mutual benefit of trade between communities, particularly for small traders seeking economic success. This concept evolved over time, transformed then to small markets and after that to small-scale companies. During the industrial era then resulting in economic engagement between companies on a global scale. This kind of expansion in the direction of international markets was not only a strategic necessity for individual companies but also a crucial mechanism for sustaining the stability of the global economic system. In our world as we know it today, certain regions have witnessed a concentration of immense wealth, which gave them rise and then transformed them into metropolitan areas. These places became magnets for people seeking employment, economic stability or a vibrant lifestyle. An example of this phenomenon is Silicon Valley, which has flourished over the past three decades.

World with the necessity of a systematic structure

Importance of a systematic view

Describing the world leads us to seeing the significance of adopting a systematic perspective. By organizing the high number of elements in structures and breaking them down into units which can be managed in an easier way, we as individuals, gain the possibility to understand the context of various problem states. By reducing the units of a complex structure, we can concentrate on identifying the issues within specific areas and at the same time without letting the system get disrupted. This can be found in the broader functioning of society, where a systematic view cause societal and political changes in a positive way. An example to that is in addressing individual violations within a legal framework, it is crucial not to disrupt the entire socioeconomic fabric due to this kind of disregarding the law. Civil laws for example look after the branches of such transgressions, allowing the rest of the complex societal structure to continuously exist. Also taking an example from the engineering area, particularly in Terms of automation, we observe the effectiveness of this approach. “A cohesive automation architecture allows companies to begin working on small, manageable tasks, while still allowing them to make improvements that are consistent with an overall automation strategy.” says Paul Anderson, director of field application engineering for Omron Automation Americas. With that he underlines that automation works to ease processes also within companies, simply by breaking down complex structures in smaller units. So adopting a systematic perspective offers a pragmatic tool of navigating complexity, whether in engineering, law, or other facets of human existence.

Another important aspect, by breaking down systems into components, is the ability to define problem sequences which can be found or identified in similar systems of other contexts. This allows us to reduce existing definitions and use cases and by that being able to integrate them into new patterns. As a result, this approach leads to considerable savings in time and resources. By systematically categorizing and analysing problems, we improve the problem-solving process and make it more efficient and manageable. The increasing number of problems within a system also results in a rising number of solutions, which then accelerates the functionality of the system. Individuals have integrated systematic thinking into their skill set, making different processes and in general their daily lives easier. After we became familiar to implementing systems, it also became part of our nature to view the world with the systematic working as a tool. Human beings possess a remarkable capacity for adaptation. We then assimilated new ways of thinking and problem-solving into our cognitive repertoire and now recognizing the benefits of systematic thinking in advancing our understanding and progress.

Innovation as a benefit

A main benefit of adopting a systematic approach lies in the possibility to support innovation. The structured method we discussed earlier enables us to recognize patterns rapidly, a typical characteristic for innovation. The goals are to create synergies between distinct areas, bring the collective wisdom to one place and construct cohesive systems where previously undetected connections existed. A tangible example of this phenomenon can be observed in universities that are pioneering new study areas, as it is with systems engineering the case. This course of study aims to connect unrelated disciplines and creates a synthesis of diverse knowledge bases. A cooperation between government, economy, and society is needed to make this interconnectedness possible and also to be delivering innovative solutions. Government serves as a facilitator who creates an environment where those instances come together. Universities contribute by sharing knowledge and nurturing talented individuals, while companies drive economic growth and innovation. Putting these diverse entities together generates an excellence of expertise and resources that can be devised with new ideas and further advancements to combat societal problems. This effort makes our ability to innovate, pushing our world ahead with new heights of progress and prosperity. Innovation is greatly sparked by culture. Over time, different civilizations came up with unique ways of doing things. But as they began to connect with one another, they started sharing. Some civilizations began to adopt and improve on the successful practices of others. Take the Romans, for example. They learned the techniques of architecture from the Greeks and perfected them. This trend of improving previously discovered knowledge has been a hallmark of human evolution since the ancients. It demonstrates how we, all along, use what works to keep moving forward and coming up with new ideas no matter where we are or whom we belong to.

Maintenance of state security as a benefit

Through systematic organization, human beings have tamed several aspects of life, which in many ways, makes the world more orderly. Organizing these elements does not only simplify complexity but also puts units into place, giving them distinct responsibilities and roles. This, in the end, enhances our daily experiences. Take the military as a prime example. It works with a visible chain of command, where every soldier knows their place. Such structured systems, like in the military or government agencies tasked with security, allow connectivity between roles. Rules decide when and how each role should move. The security and stability of the overall system are guaranteed in this regard. Therefore, in this example, programmed organization protects our systemic structures in society.

Conclusion

Globalization as a result

When we look at the world through the eyes of a system, we come to the most important point where existing topics can be adapted into this view. A systematic view of the world is the key to quickly organizing different subjects in a way that makes it possible to describe and explain complex phenomena comprehensively. It makes a systematic point of view possible to recognize patterns, relationships, and interrelations in multiple disciplines. In classifying the topics under this systematic view, we make things clear and gain insight into the foundation for developing effective solutions. The systematic view applies to such issues as social problems, economic problems, or environmental problems. In essence, it gives a structured methodology for analysis and solving problems. It underlines holistic thinking in dealing with the complexity of our interrelated world. Same as it is with a thermostat the case, a system which is able to self-regulate itself over time. In this complex process, economic, cultural, technological, and political forces dynamically respond and influence each other in an ongoing feedback loop. Much like a thermostat that adjusts itself to maintain the desired temperature, so does globalization adapt to shifting needs and conditions of the global community in a way that achieves a balance that will propel growth, stability, and integration among the named aspects in the understanding of the world. The key aspect of the nowadays world regarding self-regulation is the flow of information. Rapid transfer of news or ideas, and innovations over the world helps societies learn from each other, adopt best practices, and respond to global challenges in a coordinated way. This exchange of knowledge not only fosters technological development and economic development but also promotes culture understanding and cooperation. As economies and technologies of the world became connected in ever more advanced ways, the feedback mechanisms of trade, communication, and transport fostered growth in global networks. If we apply this to our talk about the world, this can be proven with regard to politics, wherein states often fight with each other. Eventually, they reach a critical point where they realize that there is more at stake than is gained by continuing the fight. Then, they realize that they need to cooperate on an international basis. First, this cooperation might be merely on keeping some channels open, continuing to talk, and not immediately initiating physical confrontations with each other. As they build trust and further collaborate, states start to focus on economic cooperation and begin reaping the benefits of each other as their respective states' economy flourishes. In the end, this cycle of cooperation and economic interdependence gives birth to the ascension of global power and stability.

The previous paragraphs highlighted the various reasons that led to the development of systems and, more significantly, the tendency to collaborate. When extended to an international level, this tendency brought about the realization of many advantages, key among them being security—an aspect that, in most cases, was attained by giving up some of the liberties. However, the tendency to cooperate also created avenues that led to the study and adoption of other cultures. Amazingly, people showed an unusual openness to acquiring other cultures' mentalities at a rate that was faster than anticipated by conventional standards. This is also indicative of a more realistic respect for family life and general social cohesion than selfish individualism. According to Virginia Held, in her philosophical treatise, such a trend only serves to cement humanity's naturalistic tendency of caring for and protecting the well-being of posterity when faced with cultural diversity. In a globalizing world, individuals, businesses, and nations face ethical decisions involving duties owed to others. Globalization blurs traditional boundaries of responsibility, for actions undertaken in one corner of the globe may reverberate across continents. Critical questions are brought to the fore by this dynamic with regard to who should take responsibility for responding to certain pressing global issues such as poverty and human rights abuses. For example, high-speed global trade, driven by consumers who demand faster delivery of products. They often extend supply chains across borders, entailing exploitative labor, including child labor, in another part of the world where little oversight and regulation may exist. This example illustrates the ethical duty to examine the consequences of our actions in a global context and ensures that the benefits of globalization do not come at the cost of human dignity and well-being. As we try to negotiate the complexities of a globalizing world, it becomes much more necessary to hold onto ethical principles and to fight for systemic changes that improve social justice and human rights on a global scale.