What is System Outlook?

 

What is System Outlook? System Outlook is a proposed interdisciplinary system-informational platform which claims to have the capacity to derive initial systemic laws that can be considered universal in regard to all known processes due to their system-informational nature. Based on this presumption, System Outlook proposes a theoretical foundation for conceptual reconciliation of religious and scientific views.

Foundation of the System Outlook platform

  • Synthesis of ideas belonging to system, information, cognitive, and other disciplines
  • Original system-informational methodology enhanced with a semantic component and approach of maximal generalization
  • Main systemic axiom stating that everything in Universe is either a system or a part of a system
  • Principle of functionality

Main objectives of System Outlook

  • Deriving universal systemic principles that constitute system-informational reality and every system without exception
  • Theoretical justification of proposed platform in consistency with latest scientific theories and existing philosophical ideas
  • Positioning the proposing platform as a new system-informational paradigm due to its capacity to integrate vast volumes of heterogeneous information into a non-controversial systemic totality based on unified laws and structure
  • Developing practical applications of proposed theory to educational and other systems

Major information about System Outlook 

  • Being at a junction of system and cognitive sciences, System Outlook can be considered a logical development a General System Theory (proposed in 1968 by Ludwig von Bertalanffi), and Santiago Theory of Cognition (introduced by Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela in 1970-1978);
  • SO supports generally accepted systemic view of reality as a complex totality of interdependent systems (Alexander Bogdanov, Ludwig von Bertalanffi, Norbert Wiener, Ilya Prigogine, Bela Banathy, Fritjof Capra, Ervin Lazslo, etc.)
  • SO supports views that oppose traditional Cartesian division between mind and matter as well as the observer and the observed (Werner Heisenberg, Alexei Ukhtomski, Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene, Fritjof Capra, Tatiana Chernigovskaya, etc.)
  • SO supports a “matrix” vision of reality (Max Plank, Nils Bohr) and views of “behavior” and “perception” as goal-oriented systems ( Arthur Shopenhauer, Norbert Wiener, Arturo Rosenblueth, Henk Aarts)
  • Based on derived universal systemic principles, SO proposes a new system approach to notions such as  “objectivity and subjectivity”, “cognition”, “consciousness”, “free will”, etc.

Requirements for fundamental interdisciplinary studies of universal character

  • Simplicity
  • Unified vocabulary and definitions
  • Logical coherence
  • Consistency with previously developed ideas and theories

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At this time the author of System Outlook is looking for opportunities to participate in an interdisciplinary academic program with a purpose of accomplishing her work with writing and publishing a comprehensive research paper based on System Outlook platform and a proposed content.

Brief Outline of Proposed Content:

Part I. Prerequisites of emergence universal system-informational concept

– History of conceptual understanding reality and system approach. System-informational nature of reality. Three paradigms: religious, scientific, system-informational.

– Science as informational system. Functions of science. Challenges of science in informational era. Interdisciplinary stage of scientific development.

– System thinking and development of systemic ideas: system, information and cognitive disciplines (Bogdanov, Bertalanffi, Bateson, Maturana, Lazslo, etc.)

– Universality and holistic perception. Universal ideas in religions, philosophy, scientific disciplines.

– Major problems in the way of development of a comprehensive scientifically based universal concept.

Part II.  System Outlook – universal system-informational platform: principles, methodology, fundamental notions. 

Continuity of System Outlook among interdisciplinary theories. Axiomatic foundation. Fundamental principles.

Methodology. System-informational approach to cognition and other processes. Original methodology of “maximal generalization” of heterogeneous  information. Methods of “vertical” categorization”,  semantic analysis of information systems; derivation of basic semantic elements, etc.

Fundamental notions of System Outlook platform

Information. Functions, semantic and linguistic aspects of information. Verbal and non-verbal Interpretations. Memory.  Second systemic axiom.

System. Definitions. Classifications. Principles. Characteristics. First systemic axiom and universal definition of system within System Outlook platform. Functionality, organization and hierarchy. Complexity and simplicity. Universal structure of systems.

Logic. Phenomenon of Logic. Philosophical concepts and scientific representations of Logic. Third systemic axiom. Definition of logic within System Outlook.  Linear and non-linear logic. Notion of “vertical” logic. Object reality and “objectivity”. Logic of perception and informational “subjectivity”.

Perceptional mechanism: Sensory systems. Subject and object of perception. System-informational nature of perception. Its functions and algorithm. Meaning. Concepts of “impression” and “memory”. Minimal semantic value. Axiomatic non-formalized notions (feelings, desires, attention, etc,)

Part III. System Outlook and the problem of consciousness.

Perception vs. brain. Neuro-sciences and quantum physics. Major theories and popular views. Consciousness: characteristics and categorization.

Cognition as a function of perceptional mechanism. Semantic properties of information. Logic and meaning. Semantic analysis of general linguistic patterns. Understanding and information.

Problem of Qualia in the light of system approach. Systemic framework and the concepts of Truth, God, Systems and Consciousness. Consciousness as systemic property.

Part IV. System Outlook approach to major philosophical problems

Universe and humans as informational systems. Evolution of world views. Universe as system-informational matrix. Notions of memory and informational “manifestation” of systems. Human-beings as functional elements of Matrix.

Objectivity and Subjectivity. Nature of information vs. system structure.

Space and time as systemic characteristics

Science and secular views. Religion and metaphysics. Major misconceptions. Problems in debates.

Evolution as systemic process. Randomness and self-organization

Freedom of will, perception and systemic framework

Emergence of ethics. Evolution of social laws as reflection of systemic structure. Evil and suffering.

The meaning of life: meanings as hierarchy of subjective interpretations. Structural systemic laws as a base for “objectivity”:  functionality of phenomenon of life. System approach to other scientific and metaphysical ideas.

Conclusion

Short look into the future. Interdisciplinary age of science. Modern educational problems. System approach to education. Hierarchy of educational goals.