may be complex without being able to be replaced by something still more simple. This became evident with the help of computer models of deterministic-recursive systems in which simple mathematical equation systems provide an extremely complex behavior. (2) Irregularity of nature is not treated as an anomaly but becomes the focus of research and thus is declared to be normal. One looks for regularity within irregularity. Non-equilibrium processes are recognized as the source of order and the search for equilibrium is replaced by the search for the dynamics of processes. (3) The classical...

The interrelations of science and technology as an object of study seem to have drawn the attention of a number of disciplines: the history of both science and technology, sociology, economics and economic history, and even the philosophy of science. The question that comes to mind is whether the phenomenon itself is new or if advances in the disciplines involved account for this novel interest, or, in fact, if both are intercon nected. When the editors set out to plan this volume, their more or less explicit conviction was that the relationship of science and technology did reveal a new...

Wolfgang Krohn, Giinter Kiippers Selbstorganisation steht heute als umfassender Begriff fUr eine Reihe von Konzepten, die unter verschiedenen Namen wie Synergetik, Autopoiese, dissipative Strukturen, selbstreferente Systeme eines gemeinsam haben: die Bemiihung urn die Beschreibung und das Verstiindnis des Verhaltens komple xer, dynamischer Systeme. In der Physik etwa geht es urn die Erkliirung von Strukturbildung (hydrodynamische Konvektionsstromung) oder kohiirentem Verhalten (Laser). Die Chemie untersucht die Entstehung riiumlicher und/oder zeitlicher Strukturen in chemischen Reaktionen; im...