Chaos, Complexity, and the Military

Abstract

This paper examines chaos and complexity theory two aspects of the "new science" that has sought to push beyond the Newtonian scientific paradigm that continues to define the core of Western scientific inquiry. Whereas the Newtonian paradigm is concerned with deterministic mechanics, linear causality, and reductionism, advancements in computers and computational mathematics. particularly over the past 20 or 30 years, have provided new tools for the study of non-linear dynamic processes. The new science postulates that structure and deterministic rules lie buried within nonlinear processes that have been largely unaccounted for by Newtonian concepts. Although still open to some significant challenges, the new science represents the potential for a more profound "paradigm shift" in the Western world view than Alvin and Heidi Toffler's popularized formulation of a deterministic, technology-driven, and historically simplistic "Third Wave" shift from an industrial to an information age.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA441996

Entities

People

  • John C. Gore

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Systems
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Complex Adaptive Systems
  • Complex Systems
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Equations
  • Human Behavior
  • Linear Systems
  • Mathematics
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Nonlinear Systems
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.