by Hugh M. Lewis

All relations and patterns observable or logically inferable in nature exhibit some degree of regularity & order that may be said to be structurally systematic upon a restrictive symbolic level. Natural patterning has an order that is comprehensible from a human standpoint, and which can be formulated into basic principles of design & process that are scientifically verifiable through empirical & experimental evidence. This patterning is stratified upon multiple levels that are distinctive and clearly definable, and this patterning tends to become compartmentalized into "sub-units" that are also distinctive and clearly definable according to intrinsic/extrinsic criteria. Often this stratification is ordered through time as well, leading to developmental series and processes of differentiation and emergence of new compartments and even entirely new levels of patterning. 

Overall we refer to these patterns as "structural" and the study of structural patterning in nature we define as "Systems" theory & method. In other words, this patterning forms the basis for development of models & ideas relating to general or particular systems, relative subsystems and comprehensive & contextual meta-systems that describe relationships between different systems and the organization of systems upon a super-systems level. These ideas and models in turn generate methods of research and experimentation that allow us to extend our observational & knowledge base, and that allow us to enlarge the compass of our worldview and improve our adaptive relationships with our world. This process is from an historical standpoint teleologically progressive and serves to provide us the platform from an emergent human civilization.

Systems theory & method is recognized as the basis for a unified scientific paradigm, or a "meta-scientific" philosophy & applied methodology, that can be said to constitute the foundation for a contemporary scientific orientation that is comprehensive, complementary & synthetic in perspective. Any branch or area of established scientific knowledge & praxis may be re-contextualized within this meta-scientific framework in a productive manner.

The key characteristic of any system or subsystem that is relatively delimited in time & space is that it exhibits a set or range of emergent properties that can be attributed to the design patterns distinctive for that system as a whole or in part, or that general type of system, compared to any other system or general type of system that exist in reality. The set of emergent properties associated with any one system or set of systems may be said to be unique & particular to those systems, and therefore can be used to characterize those systems compared nomothetically to any other systems, or set of properties associated with any other type of systems. 

The object of a general systems approach becomes therefore the development of a framework for the contextualization of human knowledge on the basis of the systems principles, properties and patterning that is apparent in different systems and different kinds of systems, and the development of a suitable functional typology of systems that would allow us to map the human knowledge landscape in a larger perspective than we normally have otherwise.

I offer below a tentative typological framework for understanding different kinds of systems:

General Systems Essays, Vol. I