On theorizing the complexity of economic systems
1995; Elsevier BV; Volume: 24; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/1053-5357(95)90019-5
ISSN1879-1239
Autores Tópico(s)Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
ResumoComplexity challenges the "normal sciences" because they are based on logical neopositivist epistemologies and, therefore, have difficulty dealing with intelligible yet unpredictable phenomena. This problem is of particular concern to neoclassical economics. Empirical research is making it increasingly clear that economic systems are basically complex systems and, as such, cannot be understood by reduction and simplification. This article discusses a theory of modeling and reasoning about complex economic systems. It first examines "constructivist epistemologies" as a possible foundation for the modeling of complex systems, then presents an embryonic theory of the modeling of complex systems, based on constructivist epistemology. Two modeling tools-of organization by information and of intelligent organizational decision-are proposed. The arguments presented here suggest that economics will have to become a new science of organizational engineering in order to utilize and contribute to the emerging new sciences of complexity.
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