Systems Theory

1. Canonical Definition

Systems Theory is the scientific domain that studies how roles, components, and pathways interact to produce system behavior. Within Meaning System Science, Systems Theory defines the criteria for Structural Coherence (C) by specifying how architecture, interaction patterns, and constraint relationships determine whether meaning transmits reliably across a system.

2. Featured Lineage

Ludwig von Bertalanffy — General System Theory (1968)
Demonstrated that behavior arises from relationships among parts; MSS extends this by defining coherence as a system condition for reliable meaning transmission.

Gregory Bateson — Steps to an Ecology of Mind (1972)
Argued that information becomes meaningful within patterned relationships; MSS applies this by modeling how structural patterns support or undermine compatibility.

3. Plainly

Systems Theory explains how structure shapes interpretation. Even with accurate information, interpretation becomes incompatible when roles, pathways, or interaction sequences produce different outputs from the same inputs.

4. Scientific Role in Meaning System Science

Systems Theory provides the architectural basis for Structural Coherence (C). It specifies:

• how pathways route meaning through roles and decisions

• how interaction patterns generate compatibility or variance

• how structural constraints enable consistent application

5. Relationship to the Variables (T, P, C, D, A)

• T — Truth Fidelity: Pathways determine how reference accuracy propagates across contexts.

• P — Signal Alignment: Alignment depends on structures that convert signals into consistent action.

• C — Structural Coherence: Systems Theory defines the architectural conditions that constitute C.

• D — Drift: Structural gaps and routing inconsistency increase contradiction and raise the drift rate.

• A — Affective Regulation: Coherent structure reduces interpretive load and supports correction throughput.

6. Relationship to the Physics of Becoming

L = (T × P × C) / D

Structural Coherence (C) is a stabilizing variable in the law. Systems Theory supports legitimacy (L) by specifying the architectural conditions that allow truth and signals to remain consistent across the system.

7. Application in Transformation Science

Transformation Science uses Systems Theory to explain why interpretation varies across zones, why local fixes fail under imported instability, and when architectural reconfiguration is required to restore proportional stability.

8. Application in Transformation Management

Practitioners use Systems Theory to:

• clarify roles, decision rights, and handoffs

• design pathways that support consistent interpretation

• remove routing ambiguity that generates cross-role mismatch

• align governance structure with information-processing demands

9. Example Failure Modes

• Overlapping decision pathways produce incompatible outcomes for the same case.

• Handoffs omit required context, producing non-equivalent interpretation.

• Role boundaries are unclear, producing duplicated or missing decisions.

• Workflow sequences vary by team, increasing contradiction across zones.

10. Canonical Cross-References

Meaning System Science • Interpretation • Meaning-System • Physics of Becoming • First Law of Moral Proportion • Structural Coherence (C) • Truth Fidelity (T) • Signal Alignment (P) • Drift (D) • Affective Regulation (A) • Interface • Coupling • Meaning Topology • LDP-1.0 • 3E Standard™ • Transformation Management