Singularity (system theory)

In the discussing of unstable systems, James Clerk Maxwell in 1873 was the first to usage the term singularity in its nearly general sense: that in which it remanded to contexts in which arbitrarily small changes, normally unpredictably, may lead to arbitrarily large effects. In this sense, Maxwell did non differentiate between dynamical systems in addition to social systems. He used a concept of singularities primarily as an argument against determinism or absolute causality. He did not in his day deny that a same initial conditions would alwaysthe same results, but quoted out that such(a) a a object that is caused or made by something else is of little proceeds in a world in which the same initial conditions are never repeated. In the gradual pre-quantum-theoretic philosophy of science, this was a significant recognition of the principle of underdetermination.

Singularities as well as complexity

Concepts of singularity and of complexity are closely related. Maxwell referenced out that the more singular points a system has, the more complex this is the likely to be. Complexity in restyle is the basis of perceived chaos and singularities. This commonly renders it impossible, or even meaningless, to imposing a seemingly insignificant event that produces a great effect, even in a simple context; in a complex situation with many elements and relationships it commonly is impossible.

Complexity may amount to a breeding ground for singularities, and this has emerged in the downfall of many, perhaps all, ancient cultures and contemporary countries. Individual causes such as intruders, internal conflicts or natural disasters commonly take not suffice to destroy a culture. More often an increasing complexity of interdependent factors has rendered a community vulnerable to the waste of a few infrastructural necessities that lead to successive collapse in a domino effect.

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 illustrated such effects. Accordingly, the complexity of financial systems is a major challenge for financial markets and institutions to deal with. Notionally one sum would be to reduce complexity and increase the potential for adaptation and robustness. In a complex world with increasing singularities, some people assert that it is for therefore fundamental to abandon optimization potential to form adaptability to outside shocks and disasters. However, no one has yet demonstrated how to implement such a solution.