Jaron CollisCore ConceptA basic unit of organization in biological and social systems. Term created by Arthur Koestler, a useful metaphor for system analysis and modelling. Holons should exhibit autonomy, collaboration and stability.autonomycollaborationstabilityholarchymodellingautonomyHolons have a tendency towards self-assertiveness and self-reliance. Enables them to handle problems on their particular level of existence without asking higher level holons for assistance. collaborationHolons have a tendency to interact with other holonsstabilityHolons are not transient e.g. a trading community can be considered a holon, but a transaction isn't. A brain cell is a holon, a thought isn't.holarchyHolons exist in a holarchy - a hierarchy of organisation. Advantage of organising holons: complex systems can be formed that are efficient in the use of resources, highly resilient to disturbances (both internal and external), and adaptable to changes in their environment.control hierarchymodellingHolons can be identified by top-down analysis (reductionism) or bottom-up analysis (emergence)reductionismemergencereductionismThe reductionist approach indentifies a common domain of control (an organism or company) and reduces the operational environment into a holarchy of more primitive components that satisfy the holonic criteria.emergenceEmergent modelling starts by identifying the most primitive components that satisfy the holonic criteria, and then determines how they interact to give rise to higer level holons.control hierarchyHolons can receive instruction from and, to a certain extent, be controlled by higher level holons. This ensures holon stability whilst still assuring the effective operation of the larger whole.falsescience12002-06-14T16:36:30.217+01:002003-10-09T09:24:27.401+01:00systems theoryParable of the two Watchmakershttp://www.mech.kuleuven.ac.be/pma/project/goa/hms-int/parable.html