A synthesis and a practical approach to complex systems

TL;DR

This paper synthesizes current ideas on complex systems, clarifies controversies, discusses simulation theory, and proposes practical tools and methodologies for investigating complex systems with illustrative examples.

Contribution

It offers a unified synthesis, disambiguation of key concepts, and introduces practical tools and a methodology for studying complex systems.

Findings

Disambiguation of causation and emergence in complex systems

Development of practical investigation tools

Application examples demonstrating methodology

Abstract

This document is both a synthesis of current notions about complex systems, and a practical approach description. A disambiguation is proposed and exposes possible reasons for controversies related to causation and emergence. Theoretical considerations about simulations are presented. A justification is then given for the development of practical tools and techniques for the investigation of complex systems. A methodology for the usage of these tools is finally suggested, illustrated by application examples.