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4 Some concepts related to complexity

4.2 Ignorance


The use of complexity to describe systems of which we are necessarily ignorant has close connections to the use of complexity as a paradigm. Examples might be "The brain is too complex for us to understand" or "as we understand more about chaotic systems, the boundary of complexity recedes". Complexity can be a cause of ignorance, but to completely associate the two assumes that there are not any other significant causes. It is not very helpful to describe the internal state of an electron as complex just because we are ignorant about it.


What is Complexity? - The philosophy of complexity per se with application to some examples in evolution - 14 JUN 95
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