Symposium - 2006, Edinburgh, UK
Topic: Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences
Friday 1 December 2006, 1pm-5.30pm
Department of Sociology, University of Edinburgh
Rm 124/5 Adam Ferguson Building, George Square, Edinburgh
Speakers:
Prof John Urry: ‘Complexity and the Car System’
Prof David Byrne: ‘Can we establish cause in relation to the trajectories of complex systems? A review of the potential of the methods of social science for understanding complex systems.’
Prof Gregor McLennan : 'Complexity Rules? Four complications, three dangers, two conclusions'
Dr Monica Greco: Title to be confirmed
Summary:
Complexity theory is a recently developed approach to social theory and research practice which can be used to analyse unpredictable and self-organising phenomena such as the internet, global protest movements and 'glocalisation' processes. The speakers at this symposium will be critically interrogating concepts such as 'non-linearity', 'emergence', 'self-organisation' and 'the edge of chaos', whilst exploring how they can be used to make sense of important contemporary phenomena in the social and political worlds.
All are welcome - if you are interested in further details about this event, contact Stephen Kemp (s.kemp@ed.ac.uk) or Nick Prior (n.prior@ed.ac.uk)