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Systems Theory and Biology—View of a Biologist

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Systems Theory and Biology

Abstract

In defining biology’s relation to other natural sciences Warren Weaver once aptly characterized classical physics as organized simplicity, statistical mechanics as chaotic complexity and biology as organized complexity (Weaver, 1948). Because of this multivariable and highly interconnected organization, living things require for their effective study some overall strategy like systems analysis. Such indeed is the fundamental thesis of this book. Accordingly my intention here is to indicate from an experimental biologist’s point of view the relevance of the systems approach to understanding a living organism, first in general terms, then more specifically by reviewing briefly some applications of this method in our current research program.

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  1. Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Talbot H. Waterman

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M. D. Mesarović

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Waterman, T.H. (1968). Systems Theory and Biology—View of a Biologist. In: Mesarović, M.D. (eds) Systems Theory and Biology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-88343-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-88343-9_1

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