Don Mikulecky replies(http://views.vcu.edu)
It seems clear that the meta-system only relates to its constituent
subsystems as a substrate for its own existence. If it were a machine,
for example, this would be very different. The metasystems would arise
from its parts in a clear, specified way. In the case of other
entities which differ from machines, the relation to parts is quickly
lost in favor of an expression of "function". These functions are expressible
as mapping between the constituent entities mot as individual parts but
as collections. Thus the Meta-system quickly takes on its own character
and looses most of the detailed structure of the substrate.
The functions are best ennumerated by asking questions like
"why is there a meta-system at all?"....."why do the recocognizable attributes
of the meta system exist....why did they arise?"
Best wishes,
Don Mikulecky