Introduction to the Theory of Complex Systems - Hardcover

Thurner, Stefan; Hanel, Rudolf; Klimek, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 019882193X ISBN 13: 9780198821939

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2018

Synopsis

This book is a comprehensive introduction to quantitative approaches to complex adaptive systems. Practically all areas of life on this planet are constantly confronted with complex systems, be it ecosystems, societies, traffic, financial markets, opinion formation and spreading, or the internet and social media. Complex systems are systems composed of many elements that interact strongly with each other, which makes them extremely rich dynamical systems showing a huge range of phenomena. Properties of complex systems that are of particular importance are their efficiency, robustness, resilience, and proneness to collapse.

The quantitative tools and concepts needed to understand the co-evolutionary nature of networked systems and their properties are challenging. The book gives a self-contained introduction to these concepts, so that the reader will be equipped with a toolset that allows them to engage in the science of complex systems. Topics covered include random processes of path-dependent processes, co-evolutionary dynamics, dynamics of networks, the theory of scaling, and approaches from statistical mechanics and information theory. The book extends beyond the early classical literature in the field of complex systems and summarizes the methodological progress made over the past 20 years in a clear, structured, and comprehensive way.

About this title

About the Author

Stefan Thurner, Full Professor of Science of Complex Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Austria, Peter Klimek, Associate Professor, Medical University of Vienna, Austria, Rudolf Hanel, Associate Professor, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Stefan Thurner is full professor for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University of Vienna, where he chairs the Section for Science of Complex Systems. He is external professor at the Santa Fe Institute, senior researcher at IIASA, and president of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna. He obtained a PhD in theoretical physics from the Technical University of Vienna and a PhD in economics from the University of Vienna. He held postdoctoral positions at Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin and Boston University before joining the faculty of the University of Vienna and later Medical University. Stefan started his career with contributions to theoretical particle physics and gradually shifted his research focus to the understanding of complex systems. He is the author of more than 200 scientific articles.

Peter Klimek is Associate Professor at the Section for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University of Vienna and faculty member of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna. His research interests include network medicine, complexity economics, modelling of collective socio-economic phenomena, electoral fraud detection, as well as novel methods to measure systemic risk.

Rudolf Hanel is Associate Professor at the Section for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University of Vienna and faculty member of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna. His research interests range from applications in medical physics to theoretical work on the behaviour of driven regulatory systems with a focus on mathematical issues.

Review

"It seems to me that the authors have succeeded admirably in their aims and that, by helping to train and enthuse the next generation of researchers on complex systems, their book will contribute substantially towards overcoming any possible bottleneck that is impeding further progress." -- Peter V. E. McClintock, Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Contemporary Physics

"This book is a comprehensive introduction to quantitative approaches to complex adaptive systems, starting from basic principles. It also equips the reader with a basic self-contained toolkit for engaging in complex systems science. It extends earlier classical literature in the field to summarize in a clear, structured, and comprehensive way the methodological progress made in complex systems science over the past 20 years." -- Mathematical Reviews Clippings

"This book will surely become a standard text for anyone who wants to seriously understand complexity no matter what their background or stage of career. It is written from a physicist's perspective, stressing mechanism, underlying principles and mathematical rigour, yet is eminently readable and pedagogical." -- Geoffrey West, Santa Fe Institute

"Complexity until now has been lacking a strong theoretical underpinning. Now it has one. This book is a tour de force. Excellent!" -- W. Brian Arthur, Santa Fe Institute

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 019882193X
• ISBN 13: 9780198821939
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 448