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lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and life
with a complex network of physical, chemical
and biological system interactions. Considering
all these solely physical, chemical, etc. systems
can be created and thus studied only by humans
via deliberate design (e.g. for experiments).
Social systems are the most complex material
systems that include every other material system
as well but in their operation and control mental
systems have decisive roles.
It has already been mentioned that the elements of a system can be terms and even conceptions while processes can be conceptual processes
as well. In case a system is composed exclusively
such elements it would be a mental (conceptual)
system.
In mental systems information flow is decisive. Systems belonging to this type are the products of the human brain even though information
flow and processing takes place using technical
devices.
Well-known mental systems, like scientific
theories in which certain conceptual elements
(terms, mathematical symbols, logical deductions, etc.), are connected in a strict order forming a unified whole. Religions and the legal
system of a society can also be classified as mental systems.
Fig. 2.2 Hierarchy of systems, the structure of a multiple complex system
2.1 Systems Basics