|
Welcome to the new Omega Field website. The intention of this site is to provide an in depth resource concerning everything related to Complex Dynamical Systems Science, CDS. Along the left side of this page, you will find links to the various areas of this site. Currently, we are in the initial stages of uploading content to the site, and we encourage you to check back for updates and new additions. Active sections include the Omega Field Library and the Pioneers of Complexity pages. Although the science of Complex Systems is becoming more familiar with many people today, there is a lack of understanding about exactly what this field represents, and if it is actually useful or just another passing fad. It is important to understand that CDS is not just another academic field. On the contrary, Complex Systems Science represents a revolutionary transformation in the cognitive map of the human species. In other words, this is a transformation not solely regarding what we think about, but how we think about it. Properly defining the science of Complex Systems, also referred to generally as Complexity, can be difficult because it means many things to various groups of people depending on their background. The reason for this is that the current understanding of Complexity is actually a convergence of all fields of human knowledge. It is important to understand that the foundation of CDS is based in mathematics, specifically dynamical systems theory (chaos theory), but other fields such as physics, biology, computer science, sociology, and psychology are also extremely relevant. The most basic definition of Complexity can be summed up as the study of whole systems. The fundamental concept relates to the emergence of nonlinear global dynamics for a group, or network, of interconnected systems. Each node within this type of network is usually a nonlinear dynamical system with any number of dimensions, but typically more than two. In practice, it is usually impossible to solve for these types of systems using classical analytical mathematics such as calculus. Therefore, new methods are required which exploit the number crunching power of today's computers. However, before we can go about using computational mathematics to find solutions for these types of systems, it is necessary to have an appropriate conceptual framework and to actually build new mathematical models which are broad enough to include systems of immense complexity.
In the process of building new models of complex dynamical behavior, it becomes necessary to integrate tools and concepts from many diverse fields of research. The previous image is a representation of how these fields are interconnected. Also, the many nodes on this network mirror the content structure and focus of this website. On behalf of the omega field research institute, I would like to thank
you for visiting our website, and we hope this compilation of information
serves to increase our collective understanding and appreciation for
the complex systems everywhere around us, including our own bodies
and minds. |
