We have two major tools to confront the unknown: Mathematics and Philosophy.
Math allows us to make predictions that can be tested in theory or practice.
Philosophy guides thinking in understanding what is essential, how to formulate equation, how to identify problems and solutions.
When faced with complexity we have 4 principal modes of investigation:
1. Reductionism and Dynamism. Understand the tiniest atoms and how they work both in isolation and within their context.
2. Statistics and Theory. What are the factors at play and what is the weight of those factors. What patterns are present and how do those patterns inform the logic of the phenomenon at play.
3. Simulation of variables.
4. Qualitative and Quantitative Math.
Mathematic provides the tools to recognize variables but philosophy helps to understand the mass data into discernable principles.
In our investigations, you must ask yourself what process are at play and how they're affecting elements within that system. Why are things the way they are and not different?
Constants in models are variables from the viewpoint of a larger whole, and when they change they change the structure of the model and its dynamics. Changes that result in qualitative changes in a system are the following:
1. Changes of parameters due to internal or external changes, resulting in changes in stability.
2. Feedback loops changing its polarity after reaching some precondition.
3. Links between variables being added or removed.
4. New elements entering as variables.
5. Variables subdividing into new variables.