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The thermodynamic roots of synergy and its impact on society

Authors :
Jaffe, Klaus
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Synergy arises from positive reciprocal complementary and synchronized feedback loops in a network of diverse actors that exchange information, energy and matter. Its effect is to increase in a non-linear way (greater than the sum of the parts) useful work (free energy) and order (decrease entropy) of the system After an extensive exploration of synergy and from the analysis of examples in many areas of science, including physics, biology and economy, I postulate that the common elements in all those examples are essential for the existence of synergy. These fundamental elements or roots of synergy are: 1. Open stable systems 2. Cohesion 3. Diversity and Assortation 4. Complementarity 5. Communication and Synchrony 6. Freedom and Self-Organization 7. Dynamics with decreasing entropy and growing free energy. This point may be considered essential in defining synergy, as it can be measured and thus, the proposal is falsifiable and might be refuted empirically. Here we explore ways to nurture synergy in different settings.<br />Comment: Amazon Books 2021. Kindle B083HNQBKJ. ASIN: 1656164094 2021

Details

Database :
arXiv
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1707.06662
Document Type :
Working Paper