What is complexity science?
Complexity science is the study of nonlinear, dynamic systems and the process of self-organization. It is a field derived from multiple disciplines—physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Definitions of complexity are often tied to the concept of a complex system—something with many parts that interact to produce results that cannot be explained by simply specifying the role of each part. This concept contrasts with traditional machine or Newtonian constructs, which assume that all parts of a system can be known, that detailed planning produces predictable results, and that information flows along a predetermined path. Elements of complexity theory have been incorporated into a number of fields including genetics, immunology, cognitive science, economics, computer science, and linguistics. Currently, the most robust research in complexity science involves the study of inanimate systems such as computer networks and hydrodynamic systems as well as certain cellular networks. A comp
