Observer in the systems approach

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The Observer in the systems approach (systems analysis) is the subject who studies, models, designs, or manages a system. In a broad sense, the observer can be a researcher, designer, engineer, decision-maker, a team of specialists, or any other subject interacting with the system.

In the systems paradigm, the observer is not an external and neutral element in relation to the system under study. Their presence and activities influence the nature of the system's description, the formulation of goals, the creation of models, and the selection of research criteria.[1][2]

Role of the Observer in Defining a System

The concept of the observer is organically linked to the act of distinguishing a system from its environment. The observer defines the system's boundaries, identifying elements and establishing connections between them based on the goals of the research or design. Thus, in systems analysis, the system itself exists relative to the observer and their cognitive tasks.

When formalizing a system model, not only the elements and connections are often considered, but also the observer's position, and in some cases, the descriptive language they use Formalization of system models.[3][4]

Observer's Positions Relative to the System

Depending on the nature of the system and the research goals, two main observer positions are distinguished:

  • The observer is separate from the object and studies it from the outside. This approach is characteristic of models of closed systems, where the system is viewed as a separate whole, weakly dependent on its environment.
  • The observer merges with the object, becoming a part of it. This case is typical for control systems, where the observer actively participates in the functioning and state changes of the system.

When the interaction between the system and its environment is considered, a third option is added: the observer merges with the environment. In this case, the system's description must account for not only the object and the observer but also the surrounding environment, forming the triad "observer—object—environment".

Influence of the Observer on Modeling and Research

The position and role of the observer in research determine the specifics of model construction and the interpretation of results:

  • If the observer is outside the system, a classical objective problem formulation and the construction of "black box" type models are possible.
  • If the observer is part of the system, it is necessary to consider the reflexive relationships that arise during the modeling and control process.

Furthermore, the observer's influence is evident in the selection of significant variables, the structuring of the system, and the formulation of goals and evaluation criteria.

Significance of Considering the Observer

Considering the observer in systems analysis allows one to:

  • avoid the illusion of complete objectivity in the system's description;
  • correctly formulate modeling and control tasks;
  • determine the applicability limits of the constructed models;
  • account for the reflexivity of processes in complex systems.

Recognizing the observer's role significantly expands the methodological possibilities of systems analysis and contributes to a deeper understanding of the nature of systemic objects.

Definition of a System Considering the Observer

The modern understanding of the concept of a system in systems analysis includes the necessity of considering the observer's position. A system is defined not only by a set of elements and the connections between them but also by the goals, environment, and the subject who distinguishes and describes the system.

The appearance of the observer in the definition of a system is linked to the realization that any distinction of a system from its environment occurs in the process of the research subject's activity. The observer determines:

  • the system's boundaries;
  • the goals relative to which the system is considered;
  • the criteria for identifying elements and connections;
  • the means of description and formalization.

Thus, a system exists relative to the observer and the goals of their activity.

Historically, definitions of a system have gone through stages of increasing complexity:

  • initial level: a system as a collection of elements and connections;
  • subsequent level: the addition of a goal as an essential characteristic;
  • modern level: the inclusion of the observer in the definition of the system.

Example of a modern definition: A system is the result of the reflection in the mind of a subject (observer) of the properties of objects and their interrelationships during the process of formulating and solving a research problem.

The System as a Dialectical Unity of the Subjective and Objective

The systems approach recognizes that:

  • a real, objective system exists independently of the observer;
  • the description of a system is the result of the observer's activity;
  • the concept of a system combines the objective properties of objects with their subjective reflection in the modeling process.

This position resolves traditional disputes about the "materiality" or "immateriality" of systems, focusing attention on the levels of their representation in consciousness and modeling.

See also

Literature

  • Chernyak, Yu.I. "Systems Analysis in Economic Management." In Systems Analysis in Economics. — Moscow: Ekonomika, 1975.
  • Uemov, A.I. "Logical Analysis of the Systems Approach to Objects and Its Place Among Other Research Methods." In Systems Research. 1969 Yearbook. — Moscow: Nauka, 1969.
  • Lefebvre, V.A. "Systems Comparable to the Researcher in Perfection." In Systems Research. 1969 Yearbook. — Moscow: Nauka, 1969.
  • Sadovsky, V.N. Foundations of General Systems Theory. — Moscow: Nauka, 1974.
  • Volkova, V.N., and Denisov, A.A. Theory of Systems and Systems Analysis: a textbook for universities. — Moscow: Yurayt Publishing, 2025 (or Theory of Systems. Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola, 2006).
  • Pask, G. "Teaching Thinking." In Systems Research. 1969 Yearbook. — Moscow: Nauka, 1969. — pp. 185-192.
  • Saaty, T., and Kearns, K. Analytical Planning. The Organization of Systems. — Moscow: Radio i Svyaz, 1991.

References

  1. ↑ "The experience of developing systems research indicates that the initial concept of the systems approach—the concept of a system—should be introduced in the context of analyzing the relationship between the object of study and the researcher of that object (the subject)." — V. N. Sadovsky, Foundations of General Systems Theory, p. 73. (A direct indication of the need to include the subject).
  2. ↑ "The observer distinguishes the system from the environment, separating (delimiting) the elements included in the system from the rest, i.e., from the environment, in accordance with the research goals..." — V.N. Volkova, A.A. Denisov
  3. ↑ “...a systemic object is usually not given to the researcher directly, immediately as a system. Its systemic nature is initially grasped only intuitively... The explicit expression of systemicity... presupposes... special theoretical construction of models...” — V. N. Sadovsky, Foundations of General Systems Theory, pp. 166-167.
  4. ↑ "Non-identity of mapping: the observer's sign system is different from the sign system of the manifestation of object properties and their relationships..." — Yu.I. Chernyak, "Systems Analysis in Economic Management," p. 10 (Systems Analysis Principle #10). (Difference between the language of the observer and the object).
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