CHAOS THEORY

New Physics has brought clarity to the word, chaos, "the science of change" (Briggs and Peat, 1999). It does not mean complete randomness, an absolute lack of structure, noise, confusion, or formlessness. Chaos means order without predictability, or constrained randomness. This is a difficult concept for us to embrace because the emphasis on prediction is a powerful force in Western society - in science, education, management, psychology...
We, like the magicians of old, have been hooked on prediction. For three centuries, we've been planning, predicting, analyzing the world. We've held onto an intense belief in cause and effect. (Wheatley, 1994; p. 26).
The study of chaos has revealed principles which explicate the vagaries and complexities of change. Familiar examples of chaos are weather, the movement of water as it boils, and patterns in which smoke arises in a windless environment. "The structure and behaviour of chaotic systems is so complex that it simply cannot be predicted, or in some cases, even understood within the framework of existing science" (Hutchins, 1996; p. 7)
Perhaps the most compelling aspect that the study of chaos has revealed is the relationship between order and disorder. Complex systems in chaos have the capacity to re-order themselves at a higher level of structural integration! "Order can arise out of chaos and allow for adaptation, creativity, and self-renewal" (Masterpasqua and Perna, 1997; p. 199). Order and disorder are two sides of the same coin. A system experiences disorder, moves to chaos, and out of that chaos evolves the next level of order. Our challenge is to embrace chaos in order to understand change, because "It is hard to welcome disorder as a full partner in the search for order when we have expended such effort to bar it from the gates" (Wheatley, 1994; p. 32).
This challenge asks us to find ways of being that are contrary to Western culture. It is difficult for us to acknowledge that "individuals most capable of adaptation and growth are those poised at the edge of chaos" (Masterpasqua and Perna, 1997; p. 37). It asks a lot of us to know that "it is necessary to dis-organize before re-organizing" (ibid; p. 103). "Stability and order," rather than "disequilibrium, complexity, and chaos" have been seen as hallmarks of well-being (ibid; p. 36). Chaos asks us to open up to new possibilities, to the Unknown. "In fact, chaos's most timeless lesson may be that it reenchants us with mystery" (Briggs and Peat, 1999; p. 170).
Briggs, John and F. David Peat. (1999). Seven life lessons of chaos: Timeless wisdom from the science of change. New York: HarperCollins
Hutchins, C. Larry. (1996). Systemic thinking: Solving complex problems. Aurora, CO: Professional Development Systems
Masterpasqua, Frank and Phyllis A. Perna. (1997). The psychological meaning of chaos: Translating theory into practise. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Wheatley, Margaret. (1994). Leadership and the new science: Learning about organization from an orderly universe. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.