Configurational Information as Potentially Negative Entropy: The Triple Helix Model

TL;DR

This paper explores how configurational information among multiple sources can act as negative entropy, reducing uncertainty and creating synergies within complex systems like economies, through the Triple Helix model.

Contribution

It introduces a framework linking configurational information to negative entropy, providing a new way to measure systemic synergy and stability in complex systems.

Findings

Configurational information can measure synergy in complex systems.

Configurations can be stabilized or globalized, affecting uncertainty.

Negative entropy is linked to the reduction of uncertainty in the system.

Abstract

Configurational information is generated when three or more sources of variance interact. The variations not only disturb each other relationally, but by selecting upon each other, they are also positioned in a configuration. A configuration can be stabilized and/or globalized. Different stabilizations can be considered as second-order variation, and globalization as a second-order selection. The positive manifestations and the negative selections operate upon one another by adding and reducing uncertainty, respectively. Reduction of uncertainty in a configuration can be measured in bits of information. The variables can also be considered as dimensions of the probabilistic entropy in the system(s) under study. The configurational information then provides us with a measure of synergy within a complex system. For example, the knowledge base of an economy can be considered as such a synergy in the otherwise virtual (that is, fourth) dimension of a regime.