Systems Research Yearbook 1973

The materials in the 1973 yearbook "Systems Research" are centered around the distinction between the systems approach and general systems theory: the former is presented as a set of methodological principles for studying holistic objects, while the latter is a claim to a general scientific theory. This volume combines reflections on the development of systems ideas in previous years, discusses methods for constructing a general theory, and features a separate, substantively powerful section on the applicability of the systems approach to the study of science. A key theme is the connection of systems research with the philosophy and history of science, with an emphasis on methodological rigor.

Download Systems Research. 1973 Yearbook

Methodological Problems of the Systems Approach

• The Systems Approach as a Subject of Historico-Scientific Reflection. I.V. Blauberg
• The History and Status of General Systems Theory. L. von Bertalanffy
• The Methodological Nature of the Systems Approach. E.G. Yudin
• Mechanisms of System Integrity Formation. A.A. Malinovsky
• Cybernetics and Systems Theory. M.G. Gaaze-Rapoport
• Systemness as a Stage of Scientific Cognition. V.P. Kuzmin
• Systemic Representations in the Functional Approach. B.G. Yudin

Methods for Constructing a General Systems Theory

• Problems of General Systems Theory as a Metatheory. V.N. Sadovsky
• Methods for Constructing and Developing General Systems Theory. A.I. Uemov
• The Principle of Mathematical Isomorphism in General Systems Theory. A. Rapoport
• The Topological Structure of General Systemic Mathematical Models. J. V. Cornacchio

The Systems Approach and the Study of Science

• The Systems Approach in the Study of Science (Methodological Remarks). E.M. Mirsky
• On the Question of Understanding Science as a System of Cognitive Activities. G. Laitko
• On the Problem of Viewing Science as a System. V.G. Gorokhov
• The Concept of a System as a Methodological Tool. A.A. Ignatiev
• Towards Constructing a Language for Describing Systems. Yu.A. Shreider

Systems Theory and the Special Sciences

• On the Evolution of Theoretical Thinking in Biology: From Monocentrism to Polycentrism. K.M. Khailov
• The Connection Between the Structure and Origin of Control Systems. A.A. Lyapunov
• A Systems Approach to Morphology (Based on the Morphology of J.W. von Goethe). A. Bednarchik

Authors

• Igor Viktorovich Blauberg — philosopher and methodologist of systems research.
• Erik Grigorievich Yudin — philosopher; methodology of the systems approach.
• Vadim Nikolaevich Sadovsky — philosopher; history and status of general systems theory.
• Avenir Ivanovich Uemov — creator of the parametric GST (General Systems Theory).
• Yuri Abramovich Shreider — mathematician and cyberneticist; methodology of modeling complex systems.
• Kirill Mikhailovich Khailov — biologist-ecologist; general systemic principles in ecology.
• Alexey Andreevich Lyapunov — mathematician and cyberneticist; systems approach and cybernetics.
• Alexander Alexandrovich Malinovsky — biologist and philosopher; systemness in biology.
• Modest Georgievich Gaaze-Rapoport — cyberneticist; models of integrity and AI.
• Ludwig von Bertalanffy — founder of GST.
• Anatol Rapoport — game theorist; general systems theory.
• Vitaly Georgievich Gorokhov — philosopher of science and technology; systemic representations in design.