Zusammenfassung
This is a comprehensive discussion of complexity as it arises in physical, chemical, and biological systems, as well as in mathematical models of nature. Common features of these apparently unrelated fields are emphasised and incorporated into a uniform mathematical description, including a large number of detailed examples and illustrations.

Inhalt

Part I. Phenomenology and Models: 1. Introduction; 2. Examples of complex behaviour; 3. Mathematical models; Part II: 4. Symbolic representations of physical systems; 5. Probability, ergodic theory, and information; 6. Thermodynamic formalism; Part III. Formal Characterization of Complexity: 7. Physical and computational analysis of symbolic signals; 8. Algorithmic and grammatical complexities; 9. Hierarchical scaling complexities; 10. Summary and perspectives.