Quite so, and thank you for your contribution. Your "assertion" is similar to the general accepted colloquial understanding of a system. But then, there are those that postulate that the notion of a system might reveal more:

In 1994, Aerts et al made 23 proposal for study to help in the development of a world-view. One of them is systems. They state, however: "The status of systems theory itself deserves attention (a useful vocabulary or set of principles and theorems that have exploratory value).
Aerts et al, (1994). World Views: From fragmentation to integration. VUB Press: Brussels.

Then, in 2000, Nicholas Rescher addressed the possibility of a theory-of-everything, and show, logically, that such a theory is not possible. Rescher, however, speculated that an understanding of systems might provide the key to such a theory.
Rescher, N. (2000). The Price of an Ultimate Theory. Philosophia Naturalis, vol. 37, pp 1 - 20

The possibility exist that @Gnomon's notion of a system as a holism might be the key to such a theory - but I doubt that. You see: "To bear Systems Theory in mind one should envision some sort of logical and mathematical basis as a formal unambiguous language."
Backlund, A. (2000) The Definition of System. Kybernetes, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp 444 - 451

I have found, and published, this key. It provides not only a valid world-view, actually a universe-view, but also a valid theory-of-everything. Now I am trying to find a fatal flaw in my reasoning - you see to claim a solution to the impossible is frowned upon from the ivory towers. Engineers do it all the time ... the impossible.

I used to be more of a positivist than I am now and believed that a universal tool could be provided. Systematic studies in philosophy, particularly ontology, forced me to reconsider my views in the spirit of postpositivism. The same fate befell Heidegger (as far as I know). He began by wanting to provide a universal tool, but ended by admitting that his works were metaphysics.

One could say that Heidegger moved from methodological optimism to profound doubt in the very project of universality and rational explanation. This, in a sense, echoes the transition from positivism to postpositivism in science and philosophy: the rejection of the idea of ​​ultimate truth, the recognition of the contextuality of knowledge, the role of language, tradition, and historicity.

But if you manage to discover the foundation of all this, please share it.

I say again:

"If I show you a few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, they are the only things that you will see - a few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I had to build the puzzle to the extend that the picture starts to appear for you to understand the picture that I see." p232 How I Understand Things. The Logic of Existence.

Yes, this picture is described in more than 200 pages.

The possibility exist that Gnomon's notion of a system as a holism might be the key to such a theory - but I doubt that. You see: "To bear Systems Theory in mind one should envision some sort of logical and mathematical basis as a formal unambiguous language." — Pieter R van Wyk

Gnomon is not a professional Logician, or Mathematician, or Systems theorist. Just an amateur philosophical scrivener. So the general (non-technical) concept of Holism is sufficient for my needs, to make sense of complex physical & philosophical systems.

I am however, somewhat familiar with the Santa Fe Institute for research in complex systems. And their researchers are experts in various scientific fields, but are also encouraged to think outside the traditional boxes. Maybe you can find someone there to exchange technical cutting-edge esoteric ideas with. By the way, a general term for their approach to science is Holism, as opposed to Reductionism. :smile:


Santa Fe Institute (Cowan Campus)
1399 Hyde Park Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
United States of America
Phone: 505-984-8800
Contact : emailatsantafedotedu


What is Complex Systems Science? :
Complexity arises in any system in which many agents interact and adapt to one another and their environments. Examples of these complex systems include the nervous system, the Internet, ecosystems, economies, cities, and civilizations. As individual agents interact and adapt within these systems, evolutionary processes and often surprising "emergent" behaviors arise at the macro level. Complexity science attempts to find common mechanisms that lead to complexity in nominally distinct physical, biological, social, and technological systems.
https://www.santafe.edu/about/overview

The Santa Fe Institute was founded in 1984 by a group of scientists frustrated with the narrow disciplinary confines of academia. They wanted to tackle big questions that spanned different fields, and they felt the only way these questions could be posed and solved was through the intermingling of scientists of all kinds: physicists, biologists, economists, anthropologists, and many others.
https://www.santafe.edu/

Neither am I -

a professional Logician, or Mathematician, or Systems theorist — Gnomon

- just a retired engineer that likes to understand things. If the philosophical notion of holism works well for you ... good. It did not provide answers to my questions, at least not answers that made sense to me (has utility) and are consistent.

I know the work of the Santa Fe Institute - done a few of their online courses. Was very interesting, but did not provide answers to my questions either.

And ...

From my perspective, there is a new religion popping up, based on Holism and human consciousness. A religion that would be about as good as any religion we have (or had).

From my perspective, there is a new religion popping up, based on Holism and human consciousness. A religion that would be about as good as any religion we have (or had). — Pieter R van Wyk

Since I'm an introvert and a loner, I have no interest in a structured religion, old or new*1. And not much need for the "peace & security" of belonging to a unified group of people : sect or social system. I guess you could say that Philosophy is my solo religion ; but it offers no final answers, and little existential comfort. In lieu of a biblical or tribal religion I have developed my own personal worldview*2, based partly on Holism, Information theory, and Quantum physics. No rules or rituals, wines or ganja, candles or incense, priests or preachers . . . . just a better understanding of why the world is the way it is. :halo:


*1. A new religion incorporating holism
emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things, viewing the human being as a unified "mind, body, and spirit" rather than separate parts. This worldview aligns with the New Age movement's belief in the universe as a single, interconnected whole, rejecting scientific reductionism and traditional dualisms. Instead, it promotes individual and collective spiritual transformation to achieve a greater sense of peace and unity
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=new+religion+holism

*2. Enformationism :
A philosophical worldview or belief system grounded on the 20th century discovery that Information, rather than Matter, is the fundamental substance of everything in the universe. It is intended to be the 21st century successor to ancient Spiritualism & Materialism. An Update from Bronze Age to Information Age. It's a Theory-of-Everything that covers, not just matter & energy, but also Life & Mind & Love.
https://blog-glossary.enformationism.info/page8.html

@Gnomon Do you think hypostatization is a sensible route to take when trying to lay down the groundwork for a larger body of work?

Take care of yourself!

Gnomon Do you think hypostatization is a sensible route to take when trying to lay down the groundwork for a larger body of work? — I like sushi

I don't know. Why do you ask? What do you think has been reified*1 in this thread?

If you are thinking of Holism or Enformationism, they are philosophical theories & worldviews*2, not physical objects. Even Realism is not real, but Ideal. :smile:


*1. In philosophy, hypostatization is the act of treating an abstract concept, mental construct, or social phenomenon as if it were a concrete, material thing or a real, independent substance. This often manifests as a fallacy where an idea or word that normally refers to a process or quality is given an independent existence, which can lead to misunderstandings and flawed arguments.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=hypostatization+definition+philosophy

*2. The "-ism" suffix forms a noun that can refer to a distinctive doctrine, belief system, or theory (like socialism or feminism), an action, process, or condition (such as criticism or pauperism), a characteristic behavior or quality (e.g., heroism), or an oppressive, discriminatory attitude (e.g., sexism or racism). It is a productive suffix of Greek origin used across various fields, from philosophy and politics to religion and behavior.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=ism+suffix+meaning