摘要
We propose a new definition of complexity. The definition shows that when a system evolves to a final state via a transient state, its complexity depends on the abundance of both the final state and transient state. The abundance of the transient state may be described by the diversity of the response to disturbance. We hope that this definition can describe a clear boundary between simple systems and complex systems by showing that all the simple systems have zero complexity, and all the complex systems have positive complexity. Some examples of the complexity calculations are presented, which supports our hope.
We propose a new definition of complexity. The definition shows that when a system evolves to a final state via a transient state, its complexity depends on the abundance of both the final state and transient state. The abundance of the transient state may be described by the diversity of the response to disturbance. We hope that this definition can describe a clear boundary between simple systems and complex systems by showing that all the simple systems have zero complexity, and all the complex systems have positive complexity. Some examples of the complexity calculations are presented, which supports our hope.
基金
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant Nos 10635040 （key project）, 70671089 and 70371071.
