Introduction

Complexity theory indeed challenges the notions of disjunction, abstraction, and reduction, which together constitute the “paradigm of simplification”, also called the paradigm of reductionism. Another result of the multiple relationships within a complex system is the notion of emergence. The concept of nonlinearity brings with it the insight that predictions are impossible even in deterministic system, which points to an inherent uncertainty in complex systems of both the natural and social worlds. Binary oppositions, which have deeply structured Western thinking must be reconceived because they force us to render complex options into binaries in order to choose, and they prevent us from seeing the complex interrelationships between the options. The need to overcome binary oppositions is not really new but takes on new relevance in the light of complexity theory. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.