International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

A General System theory organized around the dynamics of processes.

Process theory (P.T.) has been introduced by H. SABELLI (1989). He states: "P.T. adopts as its basic postulate PASTEUR's concept of cosmic asymmetry, i.e. the existence of asymmetry in all and each entity, in all and each of its qualities, an asymmetry that provides processes with energy and order… Systems are asymmetric organizations of energy, information and matter created by the interaction of opposite forces… Every system has an inside-outside asymmetry, a past-future asymmetry, and an energetic asymmetry" (L. CARLSON-SABELLI & H. SABELLI, 1992, p.681).

Moreover, "P.T. postulates the bifurcation of opposites, not their synthesis, or their annihilation" and "P.T. proposes that chance and cause have priority, while choice and creativity have supremacy" (H. SABELLI & L. CARLSON-SABELLI, 1994).

And: "According to P.T., levels of organization are topologically embedded forms, ordered hierarchically from simple to complex" (Ibid) In human systems "P.T. offers a framework within which to study social processes: the law of biological priority and psychological supremacy" (Ibid).

On the other hand, "According to P.T., the coexistence of three or more oppositions creates partial equilibria, i.e. structures" Moreover: "Processes create structures and structures create processes" (Ibid).

SABELLI proposes three basic laws of P.T.:

"1. Energetic asymmetry: All is action (where action = energy x time) Thus everything spontaneously changes and exchanges. Everything is a process, i.e. a composite of actions, and hence have two asymmetries, the potential of energy and the unidirectionality of time. Because all processes are forms of the same energy, they change in the same direction, time. Action is universal asymmetry of nature.

"2. Entropy as symmetry: universality of opposition: Every process and every structure includes two opposite components (enantiodromia): attraction and repulsion, union and separation, asymmetry and symmetry, left and right, positive and negative. For instance, every physical force of attraction has a range at which it repels. Gravity itself is counterbalanced by the spontaneous expansion of the universe. Every change generates its opposite, so processes increase their internal symmetry, tending toward attractors and forming structures. Symmetric equilibrium is always partial and local. Isolated from interactions, processes flow toward stable attractors – a fundamental asymmetry of nature – but an attractor is a balance of symmetry between opposites.

"3. Co-creative organization: the generation of complexity: Natural processes spontaneously create material structures, i.e. asymmetric patterns of energy and information in tridimensional space. The formation of matter from energy in the evolution of universe, the spontaneous formation of condensation structures, the formation of dissipative structures in chaotic attractors, the spontaneous synthesis of inorganic molecules, the generation of living organisms, the evolutionary increase in the number, diversity and complexity of species, the development of varied social cultures, and the psychological processes of individuation – all illustrate the spontaneous creation and destruction of structures through a multiplicity of different processes" (1994, p.1485-7).

The SABELLIs also propose a way to introduce mathematical methodology in P.T.: "It is convenient to express P.T. in more abstract terms: all natural and social processes are high dimensional transient complexes created by the interaction of pre-existing and universal low-dimensional patterns (cosmic forms). Being universal, these cosmic forms have numerical, geometric, algebraic, physical, biological and psychosocial representations: (0) zero order, random statistical distribution, quantum flux, genetic chance, luck; (1) oneness, unidirectionality, symmetry, asymmetric ordering relation (lattice theory), temporal flow of time, energy, life and history, social and psychological asymmetries and hierarchies; (2) twoness, opposition, group inverse, particles and anti-particles, two-valued information, sexes, complementary social roles, love-pairing; (3) triadicity, trifurcations, tridimensional matter, structures, tripartite organization of color perception, and of social mental models, and periodicities of order three that generate chaos (YORKE and LI). These simple processes interact which each other to create higher dimensional processes and thereby novelty, diversity, complexity and individuality (diversification). The numeral description of these forms may correspond to the FIBONACCI series (0,1,2,3,5,8, etc.) found in biological processes and in aesthetic choices… In summary, P.T. postulates a hierarchical embedding of changeable multidimensional structures (topology) (as contrasted to attractors which are conceived as mutually exclusive patterns) hence processes have a self-similar fractal geometry" (Ibid).

Process theory has obvious philosophic presocratic undertones (HERACLITUS, PYTHAGORAS and EMPEDOCLES), as well as Hegelian ones. Even if some P.T. concepts could seem controversial, it is however also solidly founded on a wide experimental basis in biology applied to medicine, psychology and psychiatry (in SABELLI's more specialized work).

SABELLI himself has assessed P.T. as a general systems theory: "Process theory was born as a bridge between biological and psychosocial medicine, highlights its continuity from HERACLITUS to PRIGOGINE, and makes the confrontation of multiple hypothesis, rather than the single- minded pursuit of one… P.T. differs from other G.S.T in three basic issues: (a) The existence of boundaries selecting the kind and rate of inputs and outputs has been considered a fundamental aspect of the definition of system. P.T. conceives also of boundary-less systems such as the solar system. Each entity has a set of entities interacting with it; thus each person is the center of her or his social network; obviously such networks overlap, have no boundaries, and include entities which do not directly interact with each other. (b) Organic models of systems highlight the integration of opposing parts in a totality, whereas P.T. gives equal importance to harmonic integration and conflictual competition and struggle. For instance, instead of viewing family and institutions as subsystems of society, P.T. views nation, places of work, families as mutually synergic and mutually competitive and conflictual systems which include each person. Even biological organisms are not simply homeostatic systems maintained by harmonic interactions among their component parts, but include processes that necessarilky lead to death. (c) The hierarchy of systems has been defined in terms of size (subatomic, atomic, molecular, organismic, planetary, solar, etc.), using the analogy of Russian dolls or Chinese boxes. This scheme splits the physical level of organization and places social processes above psychological ones. P.T. postulates that interactions between levels of organization are organized by their historical priority and their informational complexity (mathematical, physical, chemical, biochemical, biological, social, psychological, spiritual): hence social systems are considered to have historical priority over psychological organisms, while personal processes are recognized as more complex than social processes… (But) the biosphere, the population, the social system, have priority over the individuals they contain. Systemic causes have priority over individual processes. The complexity of the system is less than the complexity of anyone of its individual parts; likewise a mechanical system is simpler than its atomic structure. In summary, P.T. views structures and systems as transient developments within processes, rather than viewing processes and structures as complementary aspects of systems" (1991).

P.T. is completed in psychosocial science by a Process method, based on what SABELLI calls "action graphs", i.e. paper and pencil diagrams of interpersonal exchanges of energy (labor), information (about self and others, affection, entertainment, practical, social and intellectual skills) and matter (money and property).