Chapter 4Study Object and Limitations
4.1 Introduction
The risk assessment process for a study object was outlined in Chapter 3 without clarifying how the term “study object” should be understood. This chapter explains how we interpret the term “study object,” and defines and discusses a number of additional terms that are used to describe, delimit, and classify the study object.
All the study objects in this book are systems that meet the requirements of the Newtonian–Cartesian world view, which is described briefly at the end of the chapter. Some general aspects related to modeling and analysis of the study object are introduced and discussed briefly. The chapter supplements several steps of the risk assessment process in Chapter 3.
4.2 Study Object
We start by defining the notions of systems and sociotechnical systems and by introducing several system properties that may be used to describe and delimit the study object.
4.2.1 System
The term “system” is derived from the Greek word systema, which means an organized relationship among functioning elements. We define a system as follows:
Systems are always designed and built to fulfill a predetermined purpose. Mathematically, a system 
may be defined as ...
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