OK lets get fairly heavy on this. In nonlinear systems where superposition
breaks down - another way to put this is to say that there is significant
interaction among components of the system - any lawlike statement can
only be absolutely contextual. There is no general covering law because
any change in contingent circumstances alters the form of relationships.
Linear systems do exist and do matter but they are not everything and
anything with time irreversibility and emergent properties consequent on
that is inherently non-linear.
David Byrne
Dept of Sociology and Social Policy
University of Durham
Elvet Riverside
New Elvet
Durham DH1 3JT
0191-374-2319
0191-0374-4743 fax
