Synergetics

What is Synergetics about?

Synergetics is an interdisciplinary field of research. It studies self-organization in complex systems. Self-organization means that a system achieves its spatial structure and/or functions without specific interference from agents outside the system (counter example: wood carving where the wood carver generates a statue)
Complex system means a system composed of many elements (or parts) that can produce complicated structures or behaviors.

Publications

Springer Series in Synergetics (Founding editor H. Haken)

Since 1977, about 90 volumes.

For related topics see also

Understanding Complex Systems

(Founding editor J. A. S. Kelso)

Springer, Berlin

H. Haken: Information and Self-organization.

A macroscopic approach to complex systems. Springer, Berlin 3^rd enlarged edition 2006

By means of the maximum information (entropy) principle and its extension into the time-domain probability distribution functions of self-organizing systems and their Fokker-Planck equations are derived.

H. Haken: Brain Dynamics

An Introduction to Models and Simulation. Springer, Berlin 2^nd edition 2008

Probably the most comprehensive analytic treatment of neuronal networks with axonal pulses and dendritic currents as variables leading to phase synchronization and pattern recognition.

H. Haken: Synergetics. Introduction and Advanced Topics. Springer, Berlin 2004

The first part provides the reader with an easy to understand introduction to the basic mathematical and conceptual tools needed in synergetics. Numerous explicit examples of physics, chemistry and biology and some other fiels are given.

The second part is devoted to profound theoretical treatment of self-organization including a derivation of the slaving principle that plays a central role in synergetics.

H. Haken, G. Schiepek: Synergetik in der Psychologie. Selbstorganisation verstehen und gestalten. Hogrefe, Göttingen 2005