Synergetics: is there really a law that explains everything in the world

What is synergetics

Synergetics is an interdisciplinary field of science that explores some of the processes of self-organization in nature. The name comes from the ancient Greek words συν and ἔργον - "plus" and "business", which can be translated as "joint activity, assistance."

Synergetics is studied by VB Gubin. On the methodology of pseudoscience. M. 2004 macroscopic ordered systems, which sharply differ from ordinary thermodynamic (chaotic) systems in that self-organization elements are formed in them: structures, vortices, waves or periodic oscillations.

Any chemical reactions in which molecules are formed, the combination of elementary particles into atoms, gas turbulence - all these can be called examples of synergistic processes. The most indicative of these is the formation ("growth") of crystals.

The pathways of synergistic processes are very difficult to predict. Under the same conditions, they can lead to different results; therefore, they are described by nonlinear equations. The moments when there is a "choice" of a further trajectory are called bifurcation points.

One of the main achievements of synergetics is the discovery of dissipative structures that self-organize at the macroscopic level. For this, the Belgian physicist and chemist Ilya Prigogine received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. An example of dissipative structures are the so-called Benard vortices. They can be observed when, when heated, thin layers of liquid begin to circulate up and down, forming peculiar cells of a regular hexagonal shape.

For the first time the term in its current understanding was Knyazeva E. N. Synergetics. Encyclopedia of Epistemology and Philosophy of Science. M. 2009 was introduced in 1969 by the German theoretical physicist Hermann Hacken.

What is pseudosynergetics

There are a number of concepts close to synergetics: nonlinear dynamics, the theory of complex adaptive systems, the theory of deterministic chaos, or fractal geometry, the theory of autopoiesis, the theory of self-organized criticality, the theory of non-stationary structures in modes with exacerbation.

In some interpretations, synergetics is generalized by Knyazeva E. N. Synergetics. Encyclopedia of Epistemology and Philosophy of Science. M. 2009 all these directions and applies to any systems: biological, ecological, economic, social, psychological and others.

In this sense, it can be considered a modern stage in the development of cybernetics and systems analysis and is viewed as a kind of universal theory of global evolution. That is, with its help, they try to describe the entire history of the Universe from inception to the appearance of people as a single successive process.

Followers of this understanding of synergetics consider it possible to single out a certain single mechanism according to which any occur Gubin VB On the methodology of pseudoscience. M. 2004 innovations: from physical and chemical to sociological and linguistic, from the Big Bang to socio-economic changes. It can be described as a process at the level of the whole world, when there is a choice Porus V. N. Synergetic epistemology. Encyclopedia of Epistemology and Philosophy of Science. M. 2009 from several options, and not an endless chaotic change of states.

This approach was initiated by Fuller B. R., Applewhite E. J. Synergetics. V. 1-2. Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. 1975, 1979 American author and theorist Buckminster Fuller, and he used the very word "synergetics" earlier than Hermann Haken. Fuller substantiated his ideas in geometric, mathematical, physical, biological, and social terms. He called for the study of synergetics, because he considered it a theory that could explain everything in the world and save the world from catastrophe.

In Russia, the main popularizer of these ideas was the mathematician Sergei Kurdyumov, the author of the term “human-dimensional systems”.

However, this approach is criticized for transferring the laws and terms of synergetics to phenomena unusual for it, for example, the human psyche, society or civilization. This philosophical and expansive stretching of the boundaries of the discipline, according to critics, is unscientific, since the theory is loosely adjusted to the facts.

This desire to create a universal theory out of synergetics is compared to how the successes of classical mechanics in the past led to the desire to calculate and predict everything and everyone (determinism). This has already happened with the ideas of Darwin, and with the theory of relativity, and with quantum mechanics and cybernetics.

Opponents of the expansive use of synergetics believe that it can adequately describe only some physical, chemical, astronomical and biological processes. Critics also complain that synergetics and its terminology are often used VB Gubin On the methodology of pseudoscience. M. 2004 to give weight to pseudoscientific research. For example, "research" about bioenergy or any other types of "subtle energy".

Therefore, scientists talk about the emergence and popularization of pseudo-synergetics. It can be defined as a speculative pseudoscientific direction that juggles terms and spreads empty rhetoric about "self-organizing systems." Pseudosynergetics like to declare the discovery of some "new knowledge", but in fact there is nothing like this behind their words. At the same time, practically no one criticizes them, since they do not understand VB Gubin About the methodology of pseudoscience. M. 2004 real synergetics.

How to distinguish between synergetics and pseudo-synergetics

Here are some criteria to help you do this.

Justification of the ways of "universal evolution" using synergetics

Often in pseudo-synergetic publications one can see phrases like: “synergetics is the theory of self-organization and evolution of complex systems” or “synergetics substantiates the alternative paths of evolution”.

However, in reality, this science studies much more "simple" processes, such as combustion, heat conduction and chemical reactions, which fit quite well into the existing scientific picture of the world. More or less fits into "universal evolution" except perhaps the example with the formation of crystals, and then only with great assumptions.

It should be understood that synergetics (like any science) cannot be used as a general theory of an evolving system. This discipline can only describe its individual processes.

"Synergetic approach" and incorrect analogies

Another important marker of pseudo-synergetics is phrases like: “from synergetics follows …”, “according to the synergetic paradigm …”, “based on the laws of synergetics …”. But they are not directly related to science, despite the similarity, for example, with such revolutions as "according to the second law of thermodynamics …" or "based on Maxwell's equation …".

Most likely, you will find similar phrases in philosophical and generalizing publications using comparisons by analogy - such a kind of "logical jump". They can substantiate economic processes “from the point of view of synergetics”. Or to compare the frequency of planetary revolutions with musical intervals, and then with world religions and colors, for example green.

In the end, Hermann Haken, its creator, also came to a similar view of synergetics. In the book Haken G. Secrets of nature. Synergetics: the study of interaction. M. - Izhevsk. 2003 “Secrets of Nature. Synergetics: The Study of Interaction”he discusses, for example, whether conflicts are inevitable and whether revolutions are predictable.

In a scientific publication, the synergistic process will be described through an equation that can be confirmed or disproved experimentally. For evolution, no one, of course, will make up such an equation (because this is hardly possible). Needless to say, the formulas describing physical and chemical processes cannot be transferred to biological or social processes.

Of course, both a thin layer of liquid heated by a laboratory burner and the economic activity of an enterprise have several possible development options. But to relate them to each other, at least, is incorrect.

Therefore, the appeal to the "synergetic approach" in the social sciences and humanities is unsubstantiated and unscientific, since it is formal, superficial and based on a lack of understanding of the principles of synergetics. In particular, thermodynamics, linear and adaptive models.

Esotericism, an abundance of incomprehensible terms and a free attitude to scientific methodology

Under the guise of synergetics in "scientific" journals can Gubin VB On the methodology of pseudoscience. M. 2004 published absolutely esoteric articles. For example, about "soliton-background excitations of fractal layers of a crystal of primary matter, called the physical vacuum", deforming and resonating with living cells. Or about "ψ-fields of degrees of self". Sometimes in such works, and even with a serious mine, they talk about cosmic-esoteric concepts, as in an example from astrology about the connection of planets with musical intervals.

Naturally, synergetics is needed here for solidity and substantiation of unproven theories and statements. Such "researchers" hide the inconsistency of their reflections behind a complex and obscure terminology, which ultimately only confirms the unfoundedness of pseudo-synergetics. After all, as you know, a real scientist should be able to explain his research in simple language.

New paradigms

Pseudo-synergetics is also often used to signal the beginning of a "new turn" in science, especially by emphasizing the "post-non-classical" nature of synergetics. In such "studies" she allegedly sheds light on the limitations of the old approaches.

However, upon close examination, such statements fall to pieces. For example, the joint simultaneous action of several factors was taken into account in geology and medicine long before synergetics. The linearity of processes has also long been questioned by historians and economists.

Synergetics is becoming more and more a beautiful word. It is used by those who want to be known as a progressive person. But in fact, this is a rather narrow and complex discipline that is of little use in everyday life. Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully before talking about "synergistic interaction" or using other similar constructions.