%0 Journal Article
%T What is a Systems Approach?
%A Alex J. Ryan
%J Physics
%D 2008
%I arXiv
%X What is a systems approach? The first step towards answering this question is an understanding of the history of the systems movement, which includes a survey of contemporary systems discourse. In particular, I examine how systems researchers differentiated their contribution from mechanistic science - but also from holistic doctrines; and identify the similarities and sharpest differences between complex systems and other systems approaches. Having set the scene, the second step involves developing a definition of 'system' consistent with the spirit of the systems approach.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/0809.1698v1