ABSTRACT
The complex adaptive system is the foundation of the social ontology theory. The idea emerged from a multidisciplinary group that met regularly at the Santa Fe Institute during the late 1980s and early 1990s. This chapter discusses the adaptive versus non-adaptive aspect and the significant properties of non-adaptive systems. A complex adaptive system is made up of a variety of independent agents within an aggregate population interacting with each other and with the environment. The terms 'agent' and 'agency' have been used in a variety of ways over the past few centuries. The variety of uses has resulted in a multiplicity of obscure and conflicting definitions. John Holland described three supporting mechanisms within the complex adaptive system: tags, internal models and building blocks. These three mechanisms are tools that agents use to navigate their interactions with other agents and the environment. Their delimiting, coping and adapting functions are essential elements of human society and culture.
