Complexity and Dynamics

Many times in this book, I mention the challenges of complexity and dynamics. The Oxford dictionary defines complexity as:

A group or system of different things that are linked in a close or complicated way (Oxford Dictionary Online, www.oxforddictionaries.com, accessed 2017).

In the following, I describe my understanding of these terms. I provide two definitions of the term complex that cover two different aspects: an internal view of the characteristics of a complex entity, and an external view of how an observer regards a complex entity.

Definition of complexity [internal view]: A characteristic of a complex entity is a large number of different elements and different kinds of relationships between the elements.

The other definition specifies complexity from an external viewpoint:

Definition of complexity [external view]: The complexity of an entity is a measure of the number of surprises from the perspective of an observer of the entity.

In any case, it is hard to...