3.3 Complexity theory. Complexity theory originated in the physical and biological sciences and was successively applied to social systems in an attempt to understand dynamic processes which were difficult to explain with prevailing equilibrium models [Rosser, 1999; Beinhocker, 2006].
ABSTRACT. The science of complexity is based on a new way of thinking that stands in sharp contrast to the philosophy underlying Newtonian science, which is.
Occurrence of objects or instances
In philosophy, events are objects in time or extiw>instantiations of properties in objects.
On some views, only changes in the form of acquiring or losing a property can constitute events, like the lawn's becoming dry.
According to others, there are also events that involve nothing but the retaining of a property, e.g. the lawn's staying wet.
Events are usually defined as particulars that, unlike universals, cannot repeat at different times.
Processes are complex events constituted by a sequence of events.
But even simple events can be conceived as complex entities involving an object, a time and the property exemplified by the object at this time.
Traditionally, metaphysicians tended to emphasize static being over dynamic events.
This tendency has been opposed by so-called process philosophy or process ontology, which ascribes ontological primacy to events and processes.
