From Systems to Plectics: the Challenge of Systemic Inquiry in Measurement, Modelling and Pedagogy

This paper briefly reviews some of the most prominent systems theories from the 20
^th
century and supports the arguments of Murray Gell-Mann who proposed the use of "plectics" instead of the overused and ambiguous "systems science" and "systems theories" terms. It is claimed that measurement of complex systems is essentially a modeling task as the boundaries between the specific steps of the scientific method are necessarily blurred. A critical and extended interpretation of the scientific method, systems modeling and addressing the difficulty of teaching systems science-related disciplines completes the arguments for an integrated, truly systemic view of this field.