Viable system theory

[1][2][3] Its formal relative, viability theory began its life in 1976 with the mathematical interpretation of a book by Jacques Monod published in 1971 and entitled Chance and Necessity, and which concerned processes of evolution.

Both formal and non-formal approaches ultimately concern the structure and evolutionary dynamics of viability in complex systems.

Dissipative systems involve far-from-equilibrium process that are inherently dynamically unstable, though they survive through the creation of order that is beyond the thresholds of instability.

While the concept of autogenesis has not had the collective coherence that autopoiesis has,[16][17] Schwarz clearly defined it as a network of self-creation processes and firmly integrated it with relevant theory in complexity in a way not previously done.

The outcome illustrates how a complex and adaptive viable system is able to survive - maintaining an autonomous durable existence within the confines of its own constraints.

The nature of viable systems is that they should have at least potential independence in their processes of regulation, organisation, production, and cognition.

The generic model provides a holistic relationship between the attributes that explains the nature of viable systems and how they survive.

It addresses the emergence and possible evolution of organisations towards complexity and autonomy intended to refer to any domain of system (e.g., biological, social, or cognitive).

The dynamic process that viable living systems have, as they move from stability to instability and back again, is explained in Table 1, referring to aspects of both Figures 1 and 2.

Schwarz's VST has been further developed, set within a social knowledge context, and formulated as autonomous agency theory.