a mathematical standpoint heterarchy is the more general category and subsumes hierarchy as a special case (von Goldammer et al., 2003). While heterarchy may be modeled mathematically, it need not rely on mathematical or spatial representat…Byrne, D. (1998). Complexity theory and the social sciences: An introduction. London, England: Routledge.
Chapman, R. (2003). Archaeologies of complexity. London, England: Routledge.
Crumley, C. L. (1979). Three locational models: An epis…
David Byrne
scientist · 2 mentions across 1 reading
In this course
David Byrne is a social scientist who brought complexity theory into conversation with the humanities and social sciences, challenging linear causal models in favor of non-linear, emergent systems thinking. His work enables the course's exploration of how heterarchical rather than strictly hierarchical organization applies to cultural, social, and technological systems—a framework essential for understanding AI and cybernetic systems as distributed rather than top-down controlled. Byrne appears here as a foundational text bridging mathematical complexity theory with real-world applications beyond engineering.
Mentioned in 1 reading
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David Graeber 2Manuel De Landa 2Carole L. Crumley 1Christine Ward Gailey 1Christopher S. Beekman 1Fred Valdez Jr. 1Friedrich Engels 1Jerrold E. Levy 1Michael B. Schiffer 1Nicholas Dunning 1Robert Chapman 1Robert M. Ehrenreich 1Thomas C. Patterson 1Vernon Scarborough 1William S. Baden 1Agrawal 1Angelbeck 1Elinor Ostrom 1Gunderson 1Harvey 1James C. Scott 1Kontopolous 1Nicos Mouzelis 1von Goldammer 1