Nonlinear dynamics is now recognized as playing a crucial role in a wide variety of disciplines. But what is only just beginning is the important process of cross fertilization and transfer of knowledge and expertise from one area to another. This book is intended to promote this process which will undoubtedly contribute greatly to furthering our understanding of complex systems. Contributions are provided by leading experts from the areas of sociology, cognitive science, chemistry, physiology, ecology, economics, neural networks and physics.

Inhalt

I General Aspects of Complex Systems.- Synergetics as a Strategy to Cope with Complex Systems.- Evolution, Creativity and Intelligence in Complex Systems.- Philosophical Foundations of Nonlinear Complex Systems.- II Mathematical Models of Populations and Societies.- Diversity and Collective Action.- On the Application of Synergetics to Social Systems.- Emergent Behavior in Insect Societies: Global Oscillations, Chaos and Computation.- Collective Dynamics in Models of Communicating Populations.- III Complex Systems in Social Sciences and Psychology.- From Social Engineering to Synergetics On Metaphors Models and Reality.- Social Order. From Individual Activity to Functional Cooperation.- The Significance of Nonlinear Phenomena for the Investigation of Cognitive Systems.- Pattern Formation in Complex Cognitive Processes.- IV Complex Systems in Biology, Physiology and Ecology.- Modelling Pattern Formation in Ecological Systems.- Characterization of Temporal and Spatio-temporal Chaos.- Attractor-Ruled Dynamics in Neurobiology: Does it Exist? Can it be Measured?.- Synergetics of Blood Movement Through Microvascular Networks: Causes and Consequences of Nonlinear Pressure-Flow Relationships.- Index of Contributors.