Emergent Behavior in Complex Systems Engineering

Chapter 8MODELING EMERGENCE IN SYSTEMS OF SYSTEMS USING THERMODYNAMIC CONCEPTS

John J. Johnson IV¹, Jose J. Padilla², and Andres Sousa-Poza³

¹Systems Thinking & Solutions, Ashburn, VA, 20148, USA

²Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center, Old Dominion University, Suffolk, VA, USA

³Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

SUMMARY

Emergence, in its earliest discussions, is exemplified by thermodynamic transitions in chemical systems that produce unexplainable and unpredictable effects. We posit that characterizing thermodynamic transitions provides insight into modeling emergence in engineered systems, including those that are system of systems (SOS). In this case, we map factors in chemical systems that affect the occurrence of chemical reactions (like temperature and molecular freedom) to factors that affect the occurrence of emergence in SOS (like interoperability and component degrees of freedom). Understanding factor mappings, and the underlying interactions that connect them, contributes to our ability to characterize and model emergence in SOS and engineered systems in general. We provide an initial conceptualization of emergence using causal loops diagrams and discuss a path forward.

INTRODUCTION

One aspect of the emergence concept is the apparent absence of traceability between the nature of parts in a system and the system effects (Lewes, 1875). This absence presents a potential problem for engineers and ...