Page 59 - Complexity Perspective_Neat

Nonlinearity

We talk of nonlinearity because linear thinking was 'discovered' first.
Linear thinking underpins Western analytic (reductionist) thinking;
breaking down a problem into parts so small that a linear cause and
effect relationship is sufficient to solve or model it. This primacy in
time is despite the reality that nonlinearity is far and away the
dominant form of relationship.

Linearity

Linearity is simple cause and effect with no feedback loops taken into
account.

Linear relationships are characterized by:

● Additivity: This means that we can add the effect
or output of two systems together the resulting combination will
be nothing more than that the simple addition of
each system’s output in isolation.

● Homogeneity: This states that the output of a linear system is
always directly proportional to the input, so if we put
twice as much into the system we will, in turn, get out twice as
much. Plotted on a graph this will always give a straight line

Together, additivity and homogeneity are known as the superposition
principles. You can now forget the above, as we are focused on
nonlinearity and not linearity; anyway, linear thinking comes easily,
nonlinear thinking is more challenging and more difficult to model.

Confusion in Terms is Easy

Sadly, for the layperson, the idea of positive and negative feedback and

the term nonlinearity is bedeviled by confusing terminology.

Positive Feedback

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