attractor - A quantum of information (e.g., an idea, thought, vision) capable of capturing a system's "attention" and temporarily drawing that system into an iterative pattern of behavior the complexity of which is determined by its type: A fixed point attractor produces repetitive behavior; a l imit cycle attractor results in a somewhat more complex but still limited range of action; the behavior resulting from a torus attractor when graphed, takes the form of a standard "bell curve"; a strange attractor produces highly complex but nonetheless patterned behavior; while the chaotic attractor leads to just that in the common sense of the term.
attractor basin - A behavioral trough into which a system "falls" and is held to the attractor over a period of time. While the basins of the fixed point, limit cycle, and torus attractors tend to be the deepest and most difficult to escape, the strange attractor basin is much shallower.
autopoiesis - From the Greek roots - auto (self-) and poiesis (creation or production), a term referring to a chaordic system's capacity for self-organization , self-reference , and self-iteration ; an autopoietic system is an autonomous and self-maintaining unity the components of which, through their interaction, recursively generate dynamical processes self-similar to the ones that produced them with no apparent inputs and outputs.
bifurcation - The point at which a system's behavior changes abruptly from one mode to another. When water for instance, crosses the boundary separating its liquid state from the solid state we call "ice," it is said to have bifurcated. In higher order systems such as business enterprises, bifurcation points are known colloquially as windows of opportunity .
Butterfly Effect - A metaphor suggested by meteorologist Edward Lorenz to explain a system's sensitive dependency on initial conditions, to wit the ability of a butterfly flapping its wings in Hong Kong thus producing a perturbation in its local environment which then amplifies over time and across space until it results in an unexpected change in the weather in London. Based on this construct, the claim that the butterfly "caused" the shift in weather is literally accurate.
chaos theory - A mathematical formulation based on the 20 th century discovery that chaos and order are not opposites from which to choose, but two interpenetrated and complementary aspects of a singular reality. The chaos theory has succeeded in describing and explaining the behavior of complex, dynamical, non-linear, far-from-equilibrium systems and proves them to be the rule and not its exception throughout the universe.
chaos - A condition of disarray, discord, confusion, upheaval, bedlam, and utter mess arising from the complete absence of order. Note: The common connotation of the term is provided here merely to distinguish it from "capital-C" Chaos , the emerging metaphysics that demonstrates for once and for all that the complete absence of order is both a logical and a factual impossibility.
Chaos - The metaphysics which continues to emerge from the triad of primary discoveries of 20 th century science: quantum mechanics , relativity, and the chaos theory ; shorthand for the science of complex, dynamical, non-linear, far-from-equilibrium systems .
chaordic system - A complex, dynamical, non-linear, far-from-equilibrium system the behavior of which is simultaneously cha otic (unpredictable) and ord erly (deterministic).
complexity - A general property of a chaordic system that arises out of the complicated arrangement of a myriad of interacting components. Since each of these components derives its meaning from the context of the whole system, once "removed" from that context, it instantly lose that meaning. Note: Although you may have heard mention of complexity theory or complexity science , in fact there are no such things.
Connectivity - The Chaos principle that refers to the non-local relatedness of every component of a chaordic system with each and every other component at some positive value of entanglement; that is, although an absolute connection exists between any two particles, the relative strength of that connection vis-à-vis any other pair of components is dependent on the extent of their interactivity.
Consciousness - The Chaos principle that attests to the universal primacy of Mind in the non-ordinary sense of that term. Consciousness is deemed to be the groundstate, the fundamental source, and the essence of all that exists ranging from mental objects, e.g., thoughts, theories, beliefs, emotions, etc., to physical "things" such as rocks and refrigerators.
dialogue - From the Greek words dia (through or among) and logos (meaning), a mode of communication in which meaning flows through and among conversants considered as a whole. This form of interaction is best understood in contrast to the more commonplace discussion , a term derived from the Latin discutere (to break into pieces).
Dissipation - The Chaos principle referring to the general tendency of a chaordic system to "fall apart" structurally when approximating its Limits to Growth . Note: When dissipation is intentional (chosen when facing the window of opportunity ), the chances are high albeit not guaranteed that the system will succeed in maintaining its informational content and organizational integrity.
Determinism - A doctrine underpinning the conventional model of reality which holds that the subsequent state of a system is derived linearly from its prior state in a predictable chain of cause and effect, thus perfect knowledge of previous states implies perfect knowledge of the system's future.
Dynamical - Possessing, exerting, or displaying energy; disposed to motion or action although not necessarily rhythmic motion displaying regularity.
edge of chaos - A term referring to the figurative "border" between equilibrium or near-to-equilibrium conditions (ranging from no change to linear change) and chaos where it is believed that chaordic systems are most flexible and evolvable; the far-from-equilibrium state to which systems "evolve to evolve."
Emergence - The Chaos principle that refers to the process through which a chaordic system rises to higher-orders of complexity revealing properties and behaviors that originate from the collective dynamics of the system, yet are neither found in nor are directly deducible from its components.
entanglement - The tendency of two or more particles having once interacted to behave in correlation with each other even though they may be separated spatially;
equilibrium (equilibrial) - The ultimate stasis predicted by the Second Law of Thermodynamics mandating that the energy of a system when left to itself will eventually spreads out towards a state of structure-less uniformity known as maximum fatal chaos ; scientific jargon for death.
far-from-equilibrium (FFE) - The inverse of equilibrium or near-to-equilibrium ; a term describing the conditions approximating those of the strange attractor basin in which chaordic systems achieve optimal sustainability; also known as the " edge of chaos"
fracta l - A geometric object or pattern whose spatial form is irregular (nowhere smooth), self-similar (its irregularity repeats itself across many scales), and iterative to ever-higher orders of complexity.for example, a chaordic system .
Indeterminacy - The Chaos principle which posits that the future of a chaordic system is not determined or fixed in advance (although it is sensitively dependent on initial conditions).
holarchy - A term coined by philosopher Arthur Koestler denoting a hierarchy of holons comprised by multiple levels of increasing wholeness, each of which includes all lower levels.
holon - A term derived from the Greek holos for "whole" but denoting a whole/part - an entity that is a whole in itself and simultaneously, a part of a larger whole: a whole atom is part of a whole molecule which is part of a whole cell which is part of a whole organism, and so on indefinitely.
Interventionism - A premise underlying conventional notions of reality which holds that a system when left to itself, will tend toward disorder (chaos), and therefore, requires the action of an external agent to maintain the system in a steady state of equilibrium via the imposition of order and control.
Law of Limits - A corollary to the Second Law of Thermodynamics which applies to chaordic systems (as opposed to closed ones) mandating that none can grow indefinitely given that over time, the conditions that once fostered growth change. Thus all such systems eventually reach their "limits" -- a bifurcation point also known as a window of opportunity.
Materialism - A philosophy underpinning the conventional model of reality which asserts that only that which is accessible to the human senses or their instrumental extensions can be regarded as "real." Everything else is to be regarded as epiphenomonal, e.g., thoughts, ideas, conscious experience, etc; a secondary phenomenon that results from the interaction of matter.
matter - A physical body or substance that occupies space and can be perceived by one or more senses.
Mechanism - A philosophy which holds that the universe and all its phenomena are best understood as completely mechanical systems - that is, systems composed entirely of matter in motion and therefore, governed by mechanical laws. Note: This axiom was captured in the 17 th century metaphor attributed to French philosopher René Descartes who suggested that ours is a "clockwork universe."
non-linear (system) - A system whose behavior cannot be explained or predicted by linear or first-order equations, but are governed instead by complexity of reciprocal relationships or feedback loops;
non-locality - A term referring to the ability of one particle (or particular form) to "communicate" instantaneously with another even though separated spatially in apparent violation of Einstein's limitation on the speed of signal exchange (light); also known as action-at-a-distance .
orgmind - An amalgamation of the terms "organization" and "mind" coined by Laurie A Fitzgerald to point to the integrated collective consciousness governing the behavior both in whole and on the part of individual members of an organization.
perturbation - A small change, variation, or disturbance in the regular motion, course, arrangement, or state of a chaordic system the quantity of which increases as the system moves away from the equilibrium state and reaching a crescendo in far-from-equilibrium conditions.
quantum - A quantity or amount; the smallest discrete quantity that can exist as a unit; a "packet" of energy or matter subject to the principles of quantum physics.
Quantum physics - The science of the quantum (sub-atomic) world which along with Einstein's general relativity and the chaos theory serve as the pillars of the so-called "new science" underpinning the metaphysics known as Chaos .
Quantum Wave Function - The QWF (pronounced quiff ) is the equation formulated by one of the architects of quantum physics , one Erwin Schröedinger who proved the wavelike nature of an object prior to its manifestation in particular form; that is, as pure potential wholly lacking in substance, mass, or dimensions of any kind.
Reductionism - A premise underlying conventional notions of reality that asserts that complex phenomena are best understood by reducing them to their component parts and then grasping the nature of those parts which are regarded as independent units.
Relativity - The geometrical theory of gravitation authored by Einstein in 1915 based on the precept that there is no such thing as a one and only, correct and absolute viewing point since every perspective is relative to every other; thus, laws of nature must be such that they fit all frames of reference and must have the same validity and form in all reference points; along with Quantum physics and the chaos theory, one of the fundamental pillars of the "new science."
self-iteration - The inherent ability of a chaordic system to reproduce itself in a series of self-similar albeit increasingly complex fractal forms via the repetition of intrinsic algorithmic "instructions."
self-organization - The inherent ability of a chaordic system to form higher-order structures or functions without the need for the intervention of an external agent; another term for evolution with minimal input from the environment.
self-reference - The inherent ability of chaordic system to refer to its own interiority for all the "instructions" it will ever need to do what it does and be what it is.
sensitive dependency (on initial conditions) - The tendency of a chaordic system to change suddenly and dramatically as a consequence of tiny perturbations to which it is highly sensitive; known whimsically as the butterfly effect , an allusion to the fact that a highly complex system is susceptible to the most simple and seemingly insignificant disturbance in its starting conditions. Practically speaking, sensitive dependency renders the long-term future of a system both deterministic and unpredictable.
sustainability - The measure of the capacity of a chaordic system to maintain the continuity of its core identity, internal organization, and structural integrity while at the same time undergoing dissipation .
synchronicity - A term coined by Carl Jung to describe "temporally coincident occurrences of acausal events" or more informally, meaningful coincidents; n on-random, synchronous incidents of meaningfully related events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms of causality. Note: non-locality is greater between entangled or coupled agents.
Uncertainty Principle - A fundamental precept from quantum physics established by Werner Heisenberg which holds that one cannot measure the values of certain conjugate qualities (i.e., location and momentum) with precision; increases in the accuracy of measuring one quality of an elementary particle inevitably results in a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the other.
wave/particle duality - A term referring to the fact that light (and potentially other phenomena as well) manifests simultaneously in both wave-like (spread out all over space) and particular (localized in discrete packets of energy) forms; also known by the whimsical nickname wavicle.
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