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General systems theory
Thesis

General systems theory

James F. Dickson III
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel Institute of Technology
Jun 1961
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00003607
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Dickson_James_1961117.70 MB
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Abstract

In a period of highly specialized research in virtually all fields and disciplines of systematic knowledge, walls of ignorance have arisen that block the flow of intelligence from field to field and discipline to discipline. Concepts, explanations, and theories which have been elaborated and refined in one area of study could be put to good use, after suitable adaptation and reformulation, in others; yet, this does not happen because of the lack of interdisciplinary communication. General Systems Theory encourages and increases such communication. It encourages the development of theoretical systems that are applicable to more than one of the traditional departments of knowledge; it develops theoretical systems of concepts, relationships and models and investigates the isomorphy of concepts, laws and models in various fields where their similarity is undetected because of differences in terminology; it helps in useful transfers from one field to another; it encourages the development of adequate theoretical models in fields that lack them: it minimizes the duplication of theoretical effort in different fields; and it promotes a unity in science by improving and breaking down the barriers of communication between specialists in various scientific fields. An interest in General Systems Theory brings together areas of research with dissimilar contents but with similar structures or philosophical bases and enables workers in various fields to develop a common language and thus stimulate each other more effectively. Recent progress with adaptive and self-organizing systems in biology, engineering, mathematics, and psychology is causing new circles to be created. Their interests over the long run fall within the area encompassed by General Systems, While the total growth of knowledge is being limited by the failure of the transfer of information, from one field of study to another, at the same time, it is apparent that increasingly achievements in biological research will be derived from a mature and imaginative exploitation of the total sum of scientific knowledge. The Drexel Institute of Technology Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering has drawn attention to the fundamental principles underlying the application of the physical sciences and engineering to Biological systems. It has further provided a facility in communication, a regard for the capacity of other disciplines and appreciation of the potential productivity of a group composed of people with diverse special capacities. I am undertaking further study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that will extend the area and depth of this program and will provide a proper background for the understanding and use of the fundamental methods and concepts of the following fields: Descriptive Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Physical Chemistry, Systems Engineering, and Information and Communication Theory. This basis of knowledge will aid in the concise formulation of problems, provide a basis for the selection of the best approach to a given problem, and aid in the transfer of theories and theoretical systems from one area to another. It will give definition to the concepts of control, self regulation, organization, directiveness, and differentiation that are indispensable in dealing with the living organism and that are alien to conventional physics. The objective is to achieve as high a competence as possible in these fields in order to continue in research with an emphasis on complex systems of action. In keeping with these plans in the past year and one-half, I have carried out an analysis of the thought and activity in the field of General Systems Theory. This has been done with a particular orientation towards the isomorphy of the disciplines of biology, engineering, mathematics, psychology and social science. This thesis is a presentation of this analysis, including a review of General Systems attitudes in the U.S.S.R.; a resume of original systems research carried out at Drexel; and concluding remarks on the relationship of General Systems to science and society.

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