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On the broad-spectrum analysis of general system theory

Yu-xiang Zhang
Institute of Broad-Spectrum Philosophy, North China University of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power, Zhengzhou, China
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to give broad-spectrum analysis of general system theory, including the researching approach dynamic structure approach, the study on general object system by broad-spectrum analysis, and the study of general cognitive system by broad-spectrum analysis, etc. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical basis of broad-spectrum analysis is dynamic structuralism, which, therefore, leads to the fact that its methodology is dynamic structural methodology, including that from the perspective of generalized structure, that from the dynamic perspective (the uxional viewpoint of structure and the transforming viewpoint of structure). Findings Generalized structural models of general object system (including general thing system and general dynamic system, general cognitive system and general value system) are given in this paper. It shows a unique perspective of broad-spectrum analysis, its close relationship with general system theory and the viewpoints of many questions in general system. Research limitations/implications The details of the structural models in this paper have to be worked out. Practical implications The methodological principle for us to analyze, study, optimize, and control the general system is provided. Originality/value Generalized structural models of this paper originate from pansystem methodology and discrete mathematics. This paper has the value of methodology for those who are studying general systems. Keywords Cybernetics, Systems theory Paper type Research paper

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Introduction The broad-spectrum analysis is to analyze general thing mechanism with the methodology and theories of broad-spectrum philosophy, and the problem of general thing mechanism is closely related to general thing system. 1. Broad-spectrum methodology The theoretical basis of broad-spectrum analysis is dynamic structuralism, which, therefore, leads to the fact that its methodology is dynamic structural methodology (Zhang, 1998, 2006) which has the following characteristics. 1.1 From the perspective of generalized structure Broad-spectrum analysis inherits the thought of structuralism, especially that of pansystems methodology and panstructure (Zhang, 1998; Chao, 2006; Lin, 1995). Generalized structure includes not only tangible structure, but also intangible structure, such as the nature, condition, eld, incident and process, etc. all of which can be manifested into observo-controlled structure. Structure can be classied into simple

Kybernetes Vol. 38 No. 10, 2009 pp. 1849-1855 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0368-492X DOI 10.1108/03684920910994385

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structure and complex structure. Complex structure can be transformed from the combination of simple structures. Moreover, different structures reect different qualities of things, and structure qualities can be changed through the operation or transformation of structure. For example, one binary relation without equivalence can be equalized by equivalence closure calculation. For another example, a semi-order structure expressing domination function can be inverted in domination through inverse relation to simulate the transformation of system nature. 1.2 From the dynamic perspective When we are required to observe and analyze the problem of changes using the methodology of structure, we must have uxional and transforming viewpoints. 1.2.1 The uxional viewpoint of structure. It is well-known that the structure of discrete mathematics does not have the concept of time, so it does not possess uxional nature. For example, the automorphism in the abstract algebra is a static isomorphism of algebra system self-to-self. The broad-spectrum analysis thinks that if the structure here is not restricted to the algebra system but any things system, the whole system would change with time changes, and if it satises the condition of isomorphic fore-and-after change, then the system fore-and-after change is a dynamic automorphism. Similarly, broad-spectrum philosophy gives new explanation to some concepts such as self-homeomorphism and endomorphism (Zhang, 2006). 1.2.2 The transforming viewpoint of structure. As lots of transforming phenomena exist in the phenomena of nature, human society and thinking, it is necessary for us to study how the transformation of structure has been realized when we study these transformations with the structure approach. First of all, the viewpoint of transformation can be used to understand the transformation in mathematics (Zhang, 2006). For example, when a semi-order structure transforms into the opposite semi-order structure, and it keeps the nature of isomorphism around the change, it is the anti-automorphism. Besides, broad-spectrum philosophy has the similar understanding on the concept of anti-homomorphism, the relationship between category and anti-category, and kinds of dual transformation of mathematics, etc. Next, through the certain operation, calculation or procedure, the transformation of structure can be realized (Guo et al., 2000). We have mentioned above that a binary relation can be transformed into an equivalence relation through equivalence closure calculation or achieve anti-order transformation through inverse operation. As for the complicated system structure, usually we can nd out its body structure, steady condition, etc. through classication and dynamic yinyang analysis and then create such condition to achieve the transformation of structure. For example, on a force system of space, we need simplify its procedure to nd out principal vector and principal moment and then make sure the condition of balance. When we want to break the balanced structure, we only need break the balance condition. 1.3 The bidirectional mapping methodology The bidirectional mapping method includes two sides. On one hand, starting from the general thing system, it summarizes a certain relation structure that supports the whole system and combines such structure with a certain mathematics structure. On the other hand, it, from the existing mathematical relation structure, digs the thing

background of mathematical structure and associates them with the structure of general thing system. The rst side of which is to search construction model for the general thing system. For example, the core of a right system is the domination relation, and domination relation satises the anti-symmetric and transitive condition, so we can associate it with a certain semi-order structure. The other side of bidirectional mapping methodology is to search realistic prototype for the abstract relation in mathematics and regard the existing abstract mathematical relation as a mathematical model of a certain realistic prototype. Taking a general binary relation in set theory, R , A B, For example, when A and B are endowed with property set of different things, R represents different thing mechanism such as multi cause and effect relation, complicated observation relation, reciprocity relation, time change relation, etc. so, it provides a basic model for analyzing and handling general thing system. 2. The broad-spectrum analysis of general object system Here, general object system refers to any object system, including general thing system and general dynamic system. 2.1 The general thing system The elements of general thing system, those general external things, are interactional. Interaction is the original concept in the broad-spectrum philosophy and it generally means the substance, energy or information exchanges among the external things. When we regard binary relation R , A2 as an abstract action, the axiom of least connection is introduced by broad-spectrum philosophy and it works as the foundation of inferring general system properties. According to this axiom, when any external object a is given, at least another object b exists and (a, b) [ R. Based on this axiom, the following conclusions could be deduced logically (the process of inferring is omitted): . Deduction 1 (systemization): external world is composed of different layers of system. . Deduction 2 (openness): any object system has some openness. . Deduction 3 (the nature of environment): any object system exists in an interactive environment system. . Deduction 4 (nest): any object system is the subsystem of some bigger system. . Deduction 5 (wholeness): elements of any object are an interactive whole body. The axiom of least connection denies the isolation of each external thing, and shows the external objects could exist because of the interaction among them. When we further study whether these external object properties is inherent, the broad-spectrum philosophy introduces another axiom of non-inherence. Based on this axiom, the following conclusions could be deduced logically (the process of deduction is omitted): . Deduction 1 0 (non-inherence): any object system will lose its original property, state and action when it escapes from its inside-and-outside interaction. . Deduction 2 0 (causality): the property, state and action of any object system have its inner and outer cause.

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Deduction 3 0 (variability): the property, state or action of any object system change with its inner and outer conditions. Deduction 4 0 (non-addition property): the property, state and action of any object system are not the simple sum of property, state and action of each isolated part.

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Based on the two axioms and conclusions mentioned above, broad-spectrum analysis provides another three generalized quantication methodology (Zhang, 1998; Wu et al., 2002) to study complicated system, including the analytical method of macro-connection, analytical method of principle connection and analytical method of key connection. These are not discussed here. 2.2 The general dynamic system The general dynamic system here means the movement, transformation and evolvement of the object system. On the research of the general dynamic system, the broad-spectrum philosophy includes two parts: one is about the research of dynamic system mechanism, which is called broad-spectrum theory of yinyang. The other is about the study of the general dynamic system transformation form, named as broad-spectrum theory of class-change (Gao, 1998). 2.2.1 The theory of broad-spectrum yinyang. The core concept of the broad-spectrum yinyang theory is dynamic yinyang couple, which is composed of two kinds of force, action or transformation trend with the opposite properties and they interact each other. As action and reaction, kinetic and potential energy of the mechanics, attraction and repulsion of the physics, assimilation and dissimilation of the biology, as well as cooperation and competition of the sociology, they all belong to dynamic yinyang couple. Because the dynamic yinyang has the character of interaction, along with the change of the opposite force, it can cause the movement, transformation or evolvement of things or systems. Combining the interaction with the dynamic yinyang, the broad-spectrum philosophy puts forward the axiom of dynamic yinyang. The interaction of any object things is represented as dynamic yinyang relation. In this axiom, the process of transforming the interaction between the object things into dynamic yinyang form is called yinyang analysis of system. In the complicated system, we need work out the total dynamic yinyang couple with the method of simplication, merger, and classication. Take thermodynamics system, composed of gas molecule, as an example. To study the change of entropy, we need add all total gravitation potential energy of the particles together, in which: Etotal potential energy 2
n X mi mj G ; r ij i;j1

and total kinetic energy all the particles together: Etotal potential energy
n X 1 mi v2 i; 2 i1

in which Etotal potential energy is the dynamic yin of the thermodynamics system and Etotal kinetic energy represents the dynamic yang of the thermodynamics system. Since it

works under the standard atmospheric pressure and room temperature, we can . calculate Etotal kinetic energy 1030. Etotal potential energy, which is to say, Etotal kinetic . Etotal potential energy, so the entropy of such thermodynamics system keeps increasing. Based on the axiom of dynamic yinyang, the following conclusions can be deducted: . Deduction 1 (universality): any object system and process has the dynamic yinyang relation. . Deduction 2 (domination): the nal dynamic yinyang state of the object system determines the existing state of the system. . Deduction 3 (change): the existing state of the system varies with the total state of the dynamic yinyang. As for the multi-yinyang system, by introducing semi-order structure, the theory of broad-spectrum denes the yinyang couple of principal order and develops generalized polarization analysis of the system; as for the process analysis of complicated dynamic system, the theory of broad-spectrum puts forward the theory of class yinyang couple, etc. which is omitted here. 2.2.2 The theory of broad-spectrum class-change. The theory of broad-spectrum class-change is a theory about the evolving form of general object system. When we classify the evolvement process of the dynamic system with self-equivalent relation, the change in the self-equivalent class is called the change of the same class, and it is the generalized quantication model of the concept such as system dynamic stabilization, quantitative change and gradual change, etc. Contrariwise, the transition from self-equivalent class to neighbor self-equivalent is named as change of different classes, which is the generalized quantication model of the concept such as system instability, qualitative change and break, etc. On this basis, we can further dene some important concepts such as partial class-change, relativity of class-change, bifurcation, and critical state, etc. through ne partition, intersection operation and mapping power. For example: Denition 1. (partial class-change). Suppose S is a change state set of object system, and u is a self-equivalent relation in S, for ; S i [ S =u, if d [ ES i , and b a S i =d {S a i }, S ix ; S ix0 [ S i S i is called partial class-change of the thing system. Denition 2. (critical system). Suppose S is a change state set of object system, and u is a semi-equivalent relation in S, and S i ; S j [ S =u. For ; S ix [ S i , S jx [ S j , if 2 S ij [ S i > S j , Sij satises S ix ; S ij [ S 2 i ^ S ij ; S jx [ S j , then Sij is called the critical system from Si to Sj. The theory of broad-spectrum class-change also educes the law of the quantitative and qualitative change by introducing the axiom of induction on environment parameter and the axiom of quality-quantity relation. Meanwhile, it infers the law of class-change governed by yingyang by associating class yinyang couple (dynamic yinyang that determines the class of things or systems) with the fundamental characters of the things. 3. The broad-spectrum analysis of general cognitive system Here general cognitive system includes the general epistemology and value system. The former is called as the theory of broad-spectrum mapping image and the latter is called the theory of broad-spectrum value in the broad-spectrum philosophy.

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3.1 The theory of broad-spectrum mapping The theory of broad-spectrum mapping is a broad-spectrum analysis on cognitive system. It denes the cognition as active mapping-image of generalized subject on generalized object. The simplied mathematical description is f: Q ! f(Q), while the complexity and variability of the cognitive process is formed by various combination, transformation and composition of the mapping. According to broad-spectrum philosophy, the basis of peoples cognition is difference-identity relation, therefore it puts forward the difference axiom as the basis of epistemology. In the light of this axiom, for any external things, there must be some other things having identity relation with them. Here, identity relation generally means some equivalence relation or semi-equivalence relation (Li et al., 2000). Based on this axiom, we can infer lots of conclusions. Some examples are as follows: . Deduction 1 (the character of clustering): for any external thing or system, it must belong to some certain equivalence class or semi-equivalence class. . Deduction 2 (the character of generality and individuality): for any external thing or system, it is the unication of generality and individuality. . Deduction 3 (comparability): for any external thing or system, it can be compared with the thing in the same class at least on one aspect. . Deduction 4 (the character of replaceability): external things or systems in the same class can replace each other on some aspect. The difference-identity axiom and its deductions are not only the logic foundation for studying generality and individuality, universality and particularity, phenomenon and essence, etc. in external things or systems, but also the academic basis for studying the process of cognition from perceptual knowledge to rational knowledge and from rational knowledge to practice. The theory of broad-spectrum mapping has developed these researches concretely. 3.2 Theory of broad-spectrum value The characteristic of value system is the broad-sense supply and demand relation (not limited to the supply and demand relation in economics) of broad-sense subjects (individual, group, or corporation) towards the broad-sense objects (people or things). Seen from the angle of epistemology, the knowledge of subject, the effect of object imposing on the subject, and its inuences are the fact of value reected by the subject. These effects can be divided into positive value and negative value based on the effect on the subject being favorable or unfavorable. For the same thing or process, as it has different effect (positive value or negative value) on different subjects, it may lead to subjects different value judgment. The theory of broad-spectrum value distinguishes opposite value judgment from dialectic value judgment and gives mathematical description on the mapping power of set of single element. When we regard the broad-sense supply and demand as a set, the realization of value need satisfy two conditions: (1) property of identity: demand of subject a is the same thing with the supply of object b, namely (supplyb, demanda) [ d; and (2) non-emptiness: the intersection of set subject a demand and object b supply is not empty, viz. {supplyb } > {demanda } w.

Seen from the angle of subject, subjects value demand can be abstracted as vector form. Assuming each subject has its specic value vector in a certain time, we will get the following conclusions: . Deduction 1 (universality): in human being society, value relation is ubiquitous. It is also called the character of value elds existence. Here, value eld that means if we take all the subjects of society as eld base, and value vector corresponding with each subject as eld quantity, then it forms a broad-sense eld named as value eld. . Deduction 2 (difference): each subjects value demand has universal diversity, which is apparently determined by the size, direction and dimension of the value vector (subjects demand). On the basis of value eld concept, theory of broad-spectrum value has further studied the concept of network of value eld, which refers to the horizontal restrict relation among each value subject in the value eld, such as conict of interest relation, coordination-cooperation relation, legal relation, and ethical relation, etc. among value subjects. The theory of broad-spectrum value studies the control of value eld-network from the perspective of big system control and optimization, brings forward control model of value eld-network, generalized partial derivative model of value eld network and analyzes the structure and control of subeld-network of corruption in society, national policy of macro-control in market economy and sustainable development system, etc. concretely.
References Chao, G. (2006), On the fundamental concepts of broad-spectrum philosophy, Studies of Dialectics of Nature, Vol. 22 No. 10, pp. 101-4. Gao, X. (1998), On the Class-change Ideas of Broad-spectrum Philosophy, Higher Education Social Science, Today China Press, pp. 31-2. Guo, D., Wu, X., Zheng, L., Feng, X. and Li, Y. (2000), Pansystems-784e: duality and relativity, International Journal of Advances in Systems Science and Applications, No. 1, pp. 13-18. Li, Y., Li, Z., Chen, Y., Li, X. and Wu, X. (2000), Pansystems relativity of observation, International Journal of Advances in Systems Science and Applications, No. 2, pp. 31-6. Lin, Y. (1995), School of pansystems analysis: its birth, growth, and achievements: an overall picture and rst glance at its magnicent research, International Journal of Systems Science, Vol. 26 No. 8, pp. 1527-38. Wu, X., Yu, L., Chen, X. and Fei, J. (2002), Pnasystems generalized quantication and its application in audit risk assessment, International Journal of Advances in Systems Science and Applications, Vol. 2 No. 23, pp. 325-34. Zhang, Y. (1998), A Probe on Broad-spectrum Philosophy, China Economy Press, Beijing. Zhang, Y. (2006), Fundamental concepts, framework and application of broad-spectrum philosophy, Studies in Dialectics of Nature, Vol. 22 No. 7, pp. 107-10. Corresponding author Yu-xiang Zhang can be contacted at: zyxiang@ncwu.edu.cn To purchase reprints of this article please e-mail: reprints@emeraldinsight.com Or visit our web site for further details: www.emeraldinsight.com/reprints

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