A CRITERION OF RELATIVE DEGREE OF CHAOS OR ORDER FOR OPEN SYSTEMS

The main concepts of the new interdisciplinary branch of science known as 'physics of open systems' are discussed and a possible criterion o f relative degree of order in nonequilibrum states of open systems is especially considered. On that basis the concept of'norms of chaos' (o r 'norms of order') is set forth and the definition of processes of de gradation and self-organization is given a physical meaning. Some case s in which use can be made of the methods of physics of open systems e ven in economics, sociology and physiology are briefly discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.