System dynamics can model and simulate all things in the universe that are in motion or are changing in some way, except perhaps extended consciousness.

According to philosophers, the universe contains two kinds of things: material objects and mental states.
  1. It seems to me that if material objects are in motion, such objects can be modeled and simulated using system dynamics. There may be exceptions, but I cannot think of any.
  2. According to Damasio, there are two kinds of consciousness: core consciousness and extended consciousness. I have found that core consciousness is a dynamic mental state that can be structured as a multiloop nonlinear feedback system and then modeled and simulated using system dynamics. I have not been able to model and simulate extended consciousness. Extended consciousness appears to me to be too complex. Core consciousness is much simpler than extended consciousness. Note that consciousness is constantly in motion.

Therefore, we could state, tentatively, that all things in the universe that are in motion or are changing in some way can be structured, modeled, and simulated using system dynamics, except extended consciousness. If, eventually, extended consciousness is able to be modeled and simulated, then we could state that system dynamics is the logos.

(There is an anomaly or deviation from the generalization that consciousness is constantly in motion, though: There is one state of mind during which consciousness does not change or is not in motion. That state of mind is called - in various cultures - mystical union, samadhi, enlightenment, satori, devekut, fana, wu-wei, ecstasy, etc. This experience lasts anywhere from 4 to 7 seconds. This fact does not effect the statement that system dynamics can model and simulate all things in the universe that are in motion or are changing in some way, except perhaps extended consciousness.)

Arlen Wolpert
Draft of November 10,2006
http://world.std.com/~awolpert/gtr523.html
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