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Systems, General Theory of

A concept of the study of objects which represent a system, put forward by L. Bertalanffy, an Austrian biologist now working in Canada. The main idea of this theory is recognition of the isomorphism of the laws governing the functioning of objects of different types representing a system. It attempts to construct a mathematical apparatus describing these laws.

Bertalanffy has rendered an important service by studying the discovered systems which constantly exchange substance and energy with the environment. As a branch of natural science, General Theory of Systems is of definite importance for the development of science. But Bertalanffy clearly exaggerates its methodological content. This theory is above all descriptive and completely abstracts itself from an analysis of the structure of knowledge capable of reflecting objects in a system.