Theconcernofthisbookistheuseofemergentcomputingandself-organization
modellingwithinvariousapplicationsofcomplexsystems. Wefocusouratt- tion
both on the innovative concepts and implementations in order to model
self-organizations, but also on the relevant applicative domains in
which they can be used e?ciently. First part deals with general
modelling and methodology as conceptual - proaches for complex systems
description. An introductive chapter by Michel Cotsaftis entitled "A
Passage to Complex Systems", treats the notion of "Complex Systems" in
opposition to that of a "Complicated System". This can be, he claims,
comprehended immediately from the latin roots as "C- plex" comes from
"cum plexus" (tied up with) whereas "complicated" ori-
natesfrom"cumpliare"(piledupwith). Thepaperisawideandrichdisser- tion
with elements of history (of the technical developement of mankind) with
its recents steps: mechanist, quantum and relativistic points of view.
Then, the need for a "passage" is illustrated by the discussion, with
tools borrowed from functional analysis, of a typical parametric
di?erential system. The last and conclusive parts give tracks for the
study of Complex Systems, in parti- lar one can hope to pass to
quantitative study and control of complex systems even if one has to
consent a "larger intelligence delegation" to them (as - nounced in the
introduction) by using and developing tools already present in
dissipative Physics and in Mathematical functional analysis and ?xed
point theorems, for instance. This "passage" is followed by a wide
bibliography of more than 90 entries. The (non hasty) reader is invited
to read this deep and far reaching account before browsing through the
book.
