General system theory: foundations, development, applications

allometric animals appears applied approach aspects atoms basic Bertalanffy biological catabolism causal cell characteristics chemical chemistry classical classical physics closed systems complex components consideration considered constant contrast cultural cybernetics defined depends dynamic elements emphasized energy entities entropy equifinality equilibrium essentially evolution example existence experience expressed fact feedback fields formulation function fundamental game theory growth curves homeostasis homeostatic human behavior important increase individual information theory interaction isomorphic kinetics language laws living organism Lotka machine mathematical means mechanisms mechanistic mental metabolic rate modern nature nervous system open systems organismic phenomena philosophy physics physiological possible present principle problems processes protein psychology psychophysical quantitative reaction reality regulations relations scheme schizophrenia scientific sense servomechanisms similar so-called society sociology specific steady stimuli structure symbolic system theory teleology theoretical theory of open thermodynamics tion Unity of Science universe vitalistic whole world picture