Complex Adaptive Systems and Chinese Philosophy: A Fruitful Resonance

Margus Ott

doi:10.4312/as.2026.14.1.253-280

Authors

Margus OTT Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia; Tallinn University, Estonia; Tartu University, Estonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2026.14.1.253-280

Keywords:

complex adaptive systems, comparative philosophy, ecosystems, temporality, contextuality

Abstract

In this paper, a connection is made between complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory and Chinese philosophy. Some central features of CAS are presented, grouped under a complexity and an adaptivity set. Under the complexity-set the following characteristics are discussed: complexity, connectedness, modularity, scales, boundaries, embeddedness, heterogeneity, perspectivism, implication centres, distributedness, robustness, and patterns. And under the adaptivity-set the following notions are discussed: adaptivity, dynamics, openness, contextuality, non-equilibrium, non-linearity, sensitivity to initial conditions, threshold effects, path dependency, emergence, self-organization, and temporality. Corresponding notions from the Chinese traditions are also presented, from different times and texts. This suggests that Chinese philosophical traditions could offer good ontologies for CAS. Conversely, CAS could be used to resist certain ossifying and mechanizing tendencies in the Chinese tradition; for instance, the idea that yin-yang and five phases can be tied to fixed entities and qualities. No homogeneous Chinese tradition is presupposed, and rather it is claimed that the ideas underlying CAS can be found across traditions and in several thinkers.

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