Computation in Complex Systems

Abstract

Complex systems science is the study of large collections of (generally simple) entities, where the global behaviour is a non-trivial result of the local interactions of the individual elements [1]. This approach seeks a fundamental understanding of how such collective behaviour results from these interactions between simple individuals. In particular, it seeks to gain and apply this understanding across many different disciplines, examining both natural and man-made systems as apparently diverse as insect colonies, the brain, the immune system, economies and the world wide web [2]. Complex behaviour is often described as incorporating elements of both order and disorder (or chaos), and these elements can be seen in all of the above, e.g. path-following (order) versus exploration (disorder) in ant foraging.