General system theory: foundations, development, applications

allometric animals appears applied approach aspects atoms basic Bertalanffy biological catabolism causality cell characteristics chemical classical classical physics closed systems complex components consideration considered constant contrast cultural cybernetics defined differential equations dynamic elements emphasized energy entities entropy equifinality equilibrium essentially evolution example existence experience expressed fact feedback fields formulation function game theory graph theory growth curves homeostasis homeostatic important increase individual information theory interaction isomorphic kinetics language laws living organism Lotka Ludwig von Bertalanffy 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 social sciences society sociology specific steady structure symbolic system theory teleology theoretical theory of open thermodynamics tion vitalistic Volterra whole world picture