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Chaos and transformation: Implications of nonequilibrium theory for social science and society
Author(s) -
Loye David,
Eisler Riane
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830320107
Subject(s) - chaos theory , epistemology , action (physics) , natural (archaeology) , natural science , sociology , edge of chaos , social system , social science , mathematics , computer science , physics , philosophy , archaeology , algorithm , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , chaotic , history
This article deals with all levels of both living (biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural) and nonliving (physical, chemical, and mathematical) systems. The idea of applying the natural scientific self‐organizing, evolutionary, and non‐equilibrium or “chaos” theory associated with the names of Prigogine and others to world problems of impending social, political, economic, and ecological “chaos” is gaining ground. The leap from natural science to social action, however, is impossible without considerable attention to the main intervening step: the development of “chaos”‐equivalent, evolution‐, systems‐, and action‐oriented social theory. Construction of such theory requires understanding by social scientists of natural scientific “chaos” theory as well as their own “chaos” theoretical heritage, of natural scientists of the now seemingly far distant social problem‐solving potential of their nonequilibrium and self‐organizing theories, and of both natural and social scientists of how advancement at both levels could help gain a peaceful as well as humanistic “order out of chaos” in this troubled world of ours. This paper surveys relevant concepts, problems, theorists, research, and works in progress within a perspective of the challenge of survival at a critical juncture in the evolution of our species.