Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Systems Evolution And Engineering Thermodynamics, Terry Bristol

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Despite impressive contributions, the philosophical foundations of systems theory remain in flux. In the practical context, the proper understanding of the relation of the systems framework to classical mechanics and quantum theory remains unresolved.

I argue our understanding of systems theory is advanced by recognizing the crucial link to engineering and thermodynamics. Engineering thermodynamics is more general than the historically dominant ‘rational mechanical’ thermodynamics of Clausius, Boltzmann, the Entropy Cult (viz. Jaynes’s MEP) and the recent information theory.

That systems theory’s philosophical foundations are in a philosophy of engineering and an engineering worldview should be no surprise, given the modern …