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You are hereby invited to our tenth "Evolution, Complexity and
Cognition (ECCO)" seminar of 2005:
Complexity Theory and
Marxism:
does systems theory make
dialectics obsolete?
by
Nick Deschacht
(MOSI/ECCO,
VUB)
Place: room 3C204 (building C, 3rd floor), VUB campus
Oefenplein
Time: Friday, April 15, at 17:30 h.
Abstract:
Like systems theory, the philosophy of marxism, and its theory
of change (dialectics), can be considered as a transdisciplinary
study of the abstract dynamics and organization of phenomena.
Although dialectics never developed a rigourous conceptual framework
similar to that of e.g. systems theory, both domains share many
characteristics. This led John Maynard Smith to his famous claim that
systems theory makes dialectics obsolete. The goal of this seminar is
to (1) present and evaluate the classical marxist theory of change,
(2) confront it with systems theory and (3) explore the possibilities
for a synthesis.
ECCO seminar
programme coming weeks
22 Apr: M. Rodriguez, D. Steinbock & F. Heylighen:
Particle-Flow Networks for Individual and Collective Intelligence
Systems
29 Apr: Mixel Kiemen: The primacy of context:
bootstrapping from intuitive ideas
06 May: Julien Libbrecht: Application of cybernetic
principles to the organization of health care
13 May: Johan Bollen: Self-organization of Document
Networks
ECCO seminars normally take place each Friday at 17h30 in room
3C204 of the VUB Campus Etterbeek. Everyone interested is welcome.
The seminars are very interactive, with small groups (about 8-10
people). The intention is to discuss in depth the research being
proposed, and to look for interdisciplinary connections with other
ECCO-related themes. Seminars last about two hours, after which the
remaining participants go to take a drink or a snack in the Opinio
Café on the campus, to continue the discussion in a more relaxed
setting.
--
Francis Heylighen
Evolution, Complexity and Cognition group
Free University of Brussels
http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html
Francis Heylighen
Evolution, Complexity and Cognition group
Free University of Brussels
http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html
