International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

"A way to connect any two or more isomorphies by describing their specific cross-impact on each other in a semantic sentence" (L. TRONCALE).

Linkages propositions have been introduced by L.R. TRONCALE in 1978 (see 1985, p.43-83), as a methodology to produce a better organization within the global set of systemic concepts and models. TRONCALE selected 75 principal concepts (most of them in this encyclopedia) as the basic set for the combinatory construction of linkages.

According to TRONCALE, a basic systemic concept must be endowed with the following characteristics:

- be at a sufficient level of abstraction

- not be anthropomorphic

- offer a phenomenological basis (i.e. be related to concrete systems)

- be ana-synthetic (i.e. at least potentially general)

- not be based on methodology

- be oriented toward some process

- be of use for the reciprocal definition of other basic systemic concepts

- allow for extensive interactions with other basic systemic concepts

- be really transdisciplinary

- be useful to clarify systemic complexity

- be a prime generator of systemic characteristics.

According to TRONCALE the following types of concepts should be avoided:

- terms with (according to him) anthropomorphic undertones as for example axiology, epistemology, systemic causality or systemic behavior;

- descriptive or classificative terms as artificial intelligence, dynamic complexity, systemic evolution or isomorphy;

- methodological terms as modelization, simulation or mapping.

As no linkage proposition can be totally isolated from context, their validation by controlled experiments as practiced in hard sciences is impossible.

TRONCALE proposes the following types of linkages:

- congruent, i.e. proposing an isomorphy, an analogy, homology or identity;

- linear, i.e. showing a causal, functional or necessary interrelation;

- reciprocal, showing a negation, inhibition, opposition, increase or decrease;

- complementary, marking a symmetrical or complementary relation.

Using his methodology TRONCALE constructs a matrix of potential linkages among the set of concepts, producing tentative propositions. Each of these must be verified in the major possible number of disciplines. All are of a quite general character as for example: "Synergy may result of a consonance of cycles". What is hoped for is an interlinked system of systemic concepts: Only the set of its linkages properly clarifies the sense of any concept.

TRONCALE enumerates moreover other possible uses of this methodology:

- enrich the meaning and understanding of each basic systemic concept;

- enrich the understanding of the origins of the specific phenomenon corresponding to each concept;

- enhance the consciousness of the dynamic character of systemic processes;

- help searching for more isomorphies;

- propose better tests of the basic systemic concepts and their linkages;

- enhance the predictive power of general systemic models;

- delimit and describe the areas that may require more attention and research;

- provide a reference frame to assess the value and the more or less embracing character of proposed models and simulations for the researched systems.

- offer a precise and efficient tool for teaching General Systems Theory.

The general organization of the present work widely takes in account TRONCALE's linkages methodology by explaining the meanings of terms and concepts through definitions and comments using other related terms and concepts. In this way, an interconnected net of meanings creates a coherent semantic space. However, emphasis is also extended wider afar, in order to connect concepts with models and specific disciplines, when needed even when this entails reference to so-called anthropomorphic terms (for ex. image, norm) or non-systemic abstract ones (for ex. epistemology).