Ludwig Bertalanffy Austrian biologist Date of Birth: 19.09.1901 Country: Canada

1. Ludwig von Bertalanffy's Biography
2. Origin of General Systems Theory

Ludwig von Bertalanffy's Biography

Ludwig von Bertalanffy was an Austrian biologist who spent most of his life in Canada and the United States since 1949. He is best known as the founder of a generalized systemic concept called "General Systems Theory." He was also a pioneer in the field of solving systemic problems, particularly in the development of mathematical frameworks to describe typologically dissimilar systems. Bertalanffy was an avid researcher of isomorphism of laws in various segments of scientific knowledge.

Origin of General Systems Theory

Bertalanffy described the origin of General Systems Theory as a result of the conflict between mechanicism and vitalism. He found both perspectives unacceptable, considering the former trivial and the latter unscientific. Physical systems differ from living entities in that they are closed systems, isolated from their external environment, while living organisms are open systems. The life process of organisms involves an incoming flow of matter from the surrounding environment, the type and quantity of which are determined by the system's characteristics. Similarly, there is an outgoing flow of matter from the system as a result of its functioning. This allows organisms to obtain additional energy, which enables them to achieve negentropy and maintain stability in relation to the environment.