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Revision as of 00:02, 10 March 2013
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=== 20th century ===
=== 20th century ===
=== First half of the 20th century ===
=== First half of the 20th century ===
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==== 1900s ====
* A system is a whole which is composed of various parts. But it is not the same thing as an aggregate or heap. In an aggrete or heap, no essential relation exist between the units of which it is composed. In a heap of grain, or pile of stones, one may take away part without the other part being at all affected thereby. But in a system, each part has a fixed and necessary relation to the whole and to all the other parts. For this reason we may say that a building, or a peace of mechanisme, is a system. Each stone in the building, each wheel in the watch, plays a part, and is essential to the whole.
* A system is a whole which is composed of various parts. But it is not the same thing as an aggregate or heap. In an aggrete or heap, no essential relation exist between the units of which it is composed. In a heap of grain, or pile of stones, one may take away part without the other part being at all affected thereby. But in a system, each part has a fixed and necessary relation to the whole and to all the other parts. For this reason we may say that a building, or a peace of mechanisme, is a system. Each stone in the building, each wheel in the watch, plays a part, and is essential to the whole.
** [[:w:James Edwin Creighton|James Edwin Creighton]] (1909). ''An introductory logic''. p.339-340.
** [[:w:James Edwin Creighton|James Edwin Creighton]] (1909). ''An introductory logic''. p.339-340.
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** William Smith (1906). ''The Quarterly review''. p.465
** William Smith (1906). ''The Quarterly review''. p.465
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==== 1910s ====
* In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first. This in no sense, however, implies that great men are not needed. On the contrary, the first object of any good system must be that of developing first-class men
* In the past the man has been first; in the future the system must be first. This in no sense, however, implies that great men are not needed. On the contrary, the first object of any good system must be that of developing first-class men
** [[Frederick Winslow Taylor]] (1911) ''Principles of Scientific Management''. p.2
** [[Frederick Winslow Taylor]] (1911) ''Principles of Scientific Management''. p.2
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** [[:w:Florian Znaniecki|Florian Znaniecki]] (1919). ''Cultural reality''. p.231
** [[:w:Florian Znaniecki|Florian Znaniecki]] (1919). ''Cultural reality''. p.231
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==== 1920s ====
* In terms of the quantum theory, a system is defined as a collection of bands corresponding to a common transition between two major electron levels. Sets of bands in a system can be selected such that the frequency intervals between successive bands in the set change in an arithmetic progression. These sets can be chosen in two different ways, the frequency intervals increasing in opposite directions in the two sets. Deslandres, who did the pioneer work in this field, called one series of such sets " first progressions," and the other series " second progressions." An entire system of bands, often eighty or more in number, can thus be represented as a function of two parameters p and n. The parameter n varies in a first progression, p remaining constant. The parameter p varies in a second progression, n remaining constant.
* In terms of the quantum theory, a system is defined as a collection of bands corresponding to a common transition between two major electron levels. Sets of bands in a system can be selected such that the frequency intervals between successive bands in the set change in an arithmetic progression. These sets can be chosen in two different ways, the frequency intervals increasing in opposite directions in the two sets. Deslandres, who did the pioneer work in this field, called one series of such sets " first progressions," and the other series " second progressions." An entire system of bands, often eighty or more in number, can thus be represented as a function of two parameters p and n. The parameter n varies in a first progression, p remaining constant. The parameter p varies in a second progression, n remaining constant.
** Raymond T. Birgg (1926) "Electronic bands". In: ''Bulletin of the National Research Council''. Vol 11. March to December 1926. National Research Council (U.S.). p.73.
** Raymond T. Birgg (1926) "Electronic bands". In: ''Bulletin of the National Research Council''. Vol 11. March to December 1926. National Research Council (U.S.). p.73.
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** [[Alfred North Whitehead]] (1929). ''Process and reality''. p.53.
** [[Alfred North Whitehead]] (1929). ''Process and reality''. p.53.
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==== 1930s ====
* When a transfer of matter to or from a system is also possible, the system may be called an open system.
* When a transfer of matter to or from a system is also possible, the system may be called an open system.
** Frank Henry MacDougall (1939). ''Thermodynamics and chemistry''. p.134
** Frank Henry MacDougall (1939). ''Thermodynamics and chemistry''. p.134
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* [[Kurt Lewin|Lewin]] formally defines a Gestalt as: "a system whose parts are dynamically connected in such a way that a change of one part results in a change of all other parts."
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** [[Kurt Lewin]] (1936) ''Principles of Topological Psychology'' p. 218, as cited in: Granville Stanley Hall, Edward Bradford Titchener, Karl M. Dallenbach (1937) ''The American journal of psychology''. Vol. 50, p.374
* Systems, scientific and philosophic, come and go. Each method of limited understanding is at length exhausted. In its prime each system is a triumphant success: in its decay it is an obstructive nuisance.
* Systems, scientific and philosophic, come and go. Each method of limited understanding is at length exhausted. In its prime each system is a triumphant success: in its decay it is an obstructive nuisance.
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** [[:w:Susan Stebbing|Lizzie Susan Stebbing]] (1930) ''A modern introduction to logic.'' p.198.
** [[:w:Susan Stebbing|Lizzie Susan Stebbing]] (1930) ''A modern introduction to logic.'' p.198.
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==== 1940s ====
* A system is defined as any combination of matter that we wish to study
* A system is defined as any combination of matter that we wish to study
** Earl Bowman Millard (1946). ''Physical chemistry for colleges: a course of instruction''. p.30.
** Earl Bowman Millard (1946). ''Physical chemistry for colleges: a course of instruction''. p.30.