Understanding the system

The important feature of a system is that, in addition to each of its components being a system in its own right, each component of the system reflects the characteristics of the system. In natural systems the components of a system are what they are because of what the system is. There is no need to focus on individual componental development because it is driven by system-wide development. Whenever we find ourselves conceerned about the development or nature of the components of the system it is obvious that we are not discussing a natural system. What we are discussing is the difference between a natural system and a synthetic system.

Natural systems are organisms. Synthetic systems are organizations. In operation they are essentially the same but there is an essential difference. In a natural system the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, but in a synthetic system the whole may or may not be greater than the sum of its parts. It is the difference between synergy and emergence.

Emergence refers to a unique characteristic of a system that exists solely because of the interaction of its parts. Synergy is similar to emergence. The difference lies in the fact that both organisms and organizations may display emergence or synergy, but organisms display only synergy. This difference is crucial for the future of humanity.