Facing Complexity: Prediction vs. Adaptation

TitleFacing Complexity: Prediction vs. Adaptation
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsGershenson, C
EditorMassip, A, Bastardas, A
Book TitleComplexity Perspectives on Language, Communication and Society
Pagination3-14
PublisherSpringer
CityBerlin Heidelberg
ISBN Number978-3-642-32816-9
Abstract

One of the presuppositions of science since the times of Galileo, Newton, Laplace, and Descartes has been the predictability of the world. This idea has strongly influenced scientific and technological models. However, in recent decades, chaos and complexity have shown that not every phenomenon is predictable, even if it is deterministic. If a problem space is predictable, in theory we can find a solution via optimization. Nevertheless, if a problem space is not predictable, or it changes too fast, very probably optimization will offer obsolete solutions. This occurs often when the immediate solution affects the problem itself. An alternative is found in adaptation. An adaptive system will be able to find by itself new solutions for unforeseen situations.

URLhttp://arxiv.org/abs/1112.3843
DOI10.1007/978-3-642-32817-6