THE MANAGER AS A TEACHER: SELECTED ASPECTS OF STIMULATION OF SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Major characteristics
of systems. To carry out purposeful actions the system should have appropriate
elements. It is a consequence of the laws of conservation and cause-and-effect limitations
since nothing occurs by itself. Therefore, any systems are multi-component
objects and their structure is not casual. The structure of systems in many
respects determines their possibilities to perform certain actions. For
example, the system made of bricks can be a house, but cannot be a computer.
But it is not the structure only that determines the possibilities of systems. Strictly
determined specific interaction between them determined by their mutual
relation is required. Two hands can make what is impossible to make by one hand
or “solitary” hands, if one can put it in that way. The hand of a monkey has
same five fingers as a hand of a human being does. But the hand of a human
being coupled with its intellect has transformed the world on the
Earth. Two essential signs thereby determine the quality and quantity of
results of action of any systems – the structure of elements and their relations.
Any object has only two basic characteristics: what and how much work/many
things/ it can do. New quality can only be present in the group of elements
interacting in a specific defined mode/manner. “Defined” means target-oriented.
“Interacting in a defined mode/manner” means having definite goal, being constructed
and operating in a definite mode/manner for the achievement of the given goal. Defined
mode/manner cannot be found/inherent in separate given elements and randomly interacting
elements. As a result of certain interaction of elements part of their
properties would be neutralized and other part used for the achievement of the
goal. Transformation of one set of forms of a matter into others occurs for the
account of neutralization of some properties of these forms of a matter. And
neutralization occurs for the account of change of some connections/bonds
between the elements of an object, as these connections/bonds determine the form
of an object. For this reason we say “would be neutralized” rather than “destroyed”,
because nothing in this world does disappear and appear (the conservation law).
The whole world consists of protons, neutrons and electrons, but we see various
objects which differ in color, consistence, taste, form, molecular and atomic composition,
etc. It means that in the course of specific interaction of protons, neutrons
and electrons certain inter-elementary connections are established. At that, some
of their properties would be neutralized, while others conserved or even amplified
in such a manner that the whole of diversity of our world stems from it. The goal
of any system is the fulfillment of the preset (defined) condition, achievement
of the preset result of action (goal/objective). If the preset result of action
came out incidentally, then the next moment it might not be achieved and the designated/preset
result would disappear. But if for some reason there is a need in the result of
action being always exactly identical to this one and not to any other (goal-setting),
it is necessary that the group of interacting elements retain this new result
of action. To this end the given group of elements should continually seek to retain
the designated/preset condition (implementation of goal/objective).
Simple systemic
functional unit (SFU). The system may consist of any quantity of functional
elements/executive component, provided that each of the latter can participate
(contribute to) the achievement of the goal/objective and the quantity of such
components is sufficient enough for realization of this goal. The minimal system
is such group of “k” elements which, in case of removal of at least one of the
elements from its structure, loses the quality inherent in this group of
elements, but not present in any of the given “k” elements. Such group of
elements is a simple systemic functional unit (simple, not composite SFU), the
minimal elementary system having some property (ability to make action) which
is not present in any of
its separate elements. Any SFU reacts to external influence under
the “all-or-none” law. This law is resulting from the definition of simple SFU
(removal of any of its elements would terminate its function as a system) and discrecity
of its structure. Any of its elements may either be or not be a part of simple SFU.
And since simple SFU by definition consists of finite and minimal set of function
elements and all of them should be within the SFU structure and be functional
(operational), termination of functioning of any of these elements would terminate
the function of the entire SFU as a system. Regardless of the force of external
influence, but given the condition of its being in excess of a certain
threshold, the result of its performance will be maximal, ( “all”). If there is
no external influence, the SFU would nowise prove out (would not react, “none”).
Simple SFU, despite its name, may be arbitrary complex – from elementary minimal
SFU to maximal complex ones. The molecule of any substance consists of several
atoms. Removal of any atom transforms this molecule from one substance into
another. And even each atom represents a very complex constitution. Removal of any
of its elements transforms it into an ion, other atom or other isotope. A soldier
is a simple SFU of the system called “the army”. A soldier is a human being’s
body plus full soldier’s outfit. The body of a human being is an extremely complex
object, but removal of any of its parts would render the soldier invalid. At
that, the soldier’s outfit/equipment is multi-component as well. But the equipment
cannot shoot without man and the man cannot shoot without the equipment. They
can only carry out together the functions inherent in SFU named “soldier”.
Despite the internal complexity which may be however big, simple SFU is a
separate element which looks as a whole unit with certain single property
(quality) to fulfill one certain action elementary in relation to the entire
system, i.e. to grasp a ball, molecule, push a portion of blood, produce
force/load of 0.03 grams, provide living conditions for the animal (for
example, one specific unit of forest area) or to an individual (apartment), fire
a shot, etc. Any SFU, once it is divided into parts, ceases to be an SFU for
the designated goal. It is due to interaction of the parts only that the group
of elements can show its worth as SFU. When something breaks a good owner would
always think at first where in his household the fragments may be applied and
only thereafter he would throw them out, because one broken thing (one SFU) can
be transformed into another, more simple one (another SFU). Haemoglobin is an element of blood
circulation system and serves for capturing and subsequent return of oxygen.
Hence, haemoglobin molecules are the SFU of erythrocytes. Ligands of
haemoglobin molecules are the SFU of haemoglobin, as each of them can serve a
trap for oxygen molecules. However, further division of ligand brings to a stop
the function of retention of oxygen molecules, etc. The SFU analogues in an
inorganic nature/abiocoen are, for example, all material particles possessing
ability to lose their properties when dividing – elementary particles (?), atoms,
molecules, etc. Viruses may probably be the systemic functional units of heredity
(FUH). Thus, it is likely that at first polymeric molecules of DNA type came
into being in the claypan strata or even in the interplanetary dust or on
comets, based on a type of auto-catalytic Butler’s reaction, i.e. synthesis of
various sugars including ribose from formaldehyde in the presence of Ca and Mg ions,
ribose being a basis for the creation of RNA and DNA, and thereafter cellular
structures emerged. These examples of various concrete SFU show that SFU is not
something indivisible, since each of them is multicomponent and therefore can
be divided into parts. Only intra-atomic elementary particles may pretend to be
true SFU that are the basis of the whole of matter of our entire world as it is
still impossible to split them into parts. It is for this reason that they are called
elementary. It may well be that they are of a very complex structure, too, but formed
not from the elements of physical nature, but of some different matter, and are
the result of action of performance of systems of non-physical nature, or
rather not of the forms of the World of ours. It is indicative of the existence
of binate virtual particles, for example, positron and electron, emerging ostensibly
from emptiness, vacuum and disappearing thereto after all. We cannot cut paper
with scissors made of the same paper material. It’s unlikely that we can “cut”
elementary particles with the “scissors” made of the same matter either.
Elementary block of
management (direct positive connection/bond, DPC). In order for any SFU to be
able to perform it should contain certain elements for implementation of its
actions according to the laws of conservation and cause-and-effect limitations.
To implement target-oriented actions the system should contain performance
/“executive”/ elements and in order to render the executive element’s
interaction target-oriented, the system should contain the elements (block) of
management/control. Executive elements (effectors) carry out certain (target-oriented)
action of a system to ensure the achievement of the preset result of action. The
result of action would not come out by itself. In order to achieve it
performance of certain objects is required. On the example of plain with a
feeler /trial balloon/ such elements are plains themselves. But it (the executive
element) exists on itself and produces its own results of action in response to
certain influences external with respect to it. It will react if something influences
upon it and will not react in the absence of any influence. Interaction with
its other elements would pertain to it so far as the results of action of other
elements are the external influence in respect of it per se and may invoke its
reaction in response to these influences. This reaction will already be shown
in the form of its own result of action which would also be the external
influence in respect to other elements of the system, and no more than that. Not
a single action of any element of the system can be the result of action of the
system itself by definition. It does not matter for any separate executive
element whether or not the preset condition (the goal of the system) was fulfilled
haphazardly, whether or not the given group of elements produced a
qualitatively new preset result of action or something prevented it from
happening. It in no way affects the way the executive elements “feel”, i.e. their
own functions, and none of their inherent property would force them to “watch”
the fulfillment of the general goal of the system. They are simply “not able” of
doing so. The elements of management (the control block) are needed for the
achievement of the particular preset result, rather than of any other result of
action. Since the goal is the reaction in response to specific external
influence, at first there is a need to “feel” it, to segregate it from the
multitude of other nonspecific external influences, “make decision” on any
specific actions and begin to perform. If, for example, the SFU reacts to
pressure it should be able to “feel” just pressure (reception), rather than
temperature or something else. For this purpose it should have a special “organ”
(receptor) which is able of doing so. In order to react only to specific
external influence which may pertain to the fulfillment of the goal, the SFU
should not only have reception, but also single it out from all other external
influences affecting it (selection). For this purpose it should have a special organ
(selector or analyzer) which is able to segregate the right signal from a
multitude of others. Thereafter, having “felt” and segregated the external
influence, it should “make decision” that there is a need to act
(decision-making). For this purpose it should have a special or decision-making
organ able of making decisions. Then it should realize this decision, i.e. force
the executive elements to act (implementation of decision). For this purpose it
should have elements (stimulators) with the help of which it would be possible
to communicate decision to the executive elements. Therefore, in order to react
to certain external influence and to achieve the required result of action it is necessary to accomplish
the following chain of guiding actions: reception → selection → decision-making →
implementation of decisions (stimulation). What elements should carry out this
chain of guiding actions? The executive elements (for example, plains) cannot
do it, because they perform the action per se, for example, the capturing
action, but not guiding actions. For this reason they are also called executive elements.
All guiding actions should be accomplished by guiding elements (the control
block) and these should be a part of SFU. The control block consists of: “X” receptor
(segregates specific signal and detects the presence of external influence); afferent
channels (transfer of information from the receptor to analyzer); the
analyzer-informant (on the basis of the information from the “Х” receptor makes
decisions on the activation of executive elements); efferent cannels (of a
stimulator) (implementation of decision, channeling of the guiding actions to
the effectors).
The “Х” receptor, afferent
channels, analyzer-informant (activator of action) and efferent channels
(stimulator) comprise the control block. The receptor and afferent channels represent
direct positive communication (DPC). It is direct because inside SFU the guiding
signal (information on the presence of external influence) goes in the same
direction as the external influence itself. It is positive because if there is
a signal there is a reaction, if there is no signal, there is no reaction. Thus, the SFU
control block reacts to the external influence. It can feel and detect/segregate
specific signal of external influence from the multitude of other external
influences and depending on the presence or absence of specific signal it may
decide whether or not it should undertake its own action. Its own action is the
inducement (stimulation) of the executive elements to operate. There exist uncontrollable
and controllable SFU. The control block of uncontrollable SFU decides whether
or not it should act, and it would make such decision only depending on the presence
of the external influence. The control block of controllable SFU would also
decide whether or not it should act depending on the presence of the external
signal and in the presence of additional condition as well, i.e. the permission
to perform this action which is communicated to its command entry point. The uncontrollable SFU has one entry point for the external
influence and one outlet /exit point/ for the result of action. The logic of
work of such SFU is extremely simple: it would act if there is certain external
influence (result of action), and no result of action is produced in the
absence of external influence. For uncontrollable SFU the action regulator is the
external influence itself. It has its own management which function is
performed by the internal control block. But external management with such SFU
is impossible. It would “decide” on its own whether or not it should act. That
is why it is called uncontrollable. This decision would only depend on the presence
of external influence. In the presence of external influence it would function and
no external decision (not the influence) can change the internal decision of
this SFU. The uncontrollable SFU is independent of external decisions. It will
perform the action once it “made a decision”. The example of uncontrollable SFU
is, for instance, the nitroglycerine molecule (SFU for micro-explosion). If it is
shaken (external influence is shaking) it will start to disintegrate, thereby releasing
energy, and during this process nothing would stop its disintegration. The analogues
of uncontrollable SFU in a living organism are sarcomeres, ligands of
haemoglobin, etc. Once sarcomere starts to reduce, it would not stop until the
reduction is finished. Once the ligand of haemoglobin starts capturing oxygen,
it would not stop until the capturing process is finished. Unlike
uncontrollable SFU, the controllable SFU have two entry points (one for the
entry of external influence and another one for the entry of the command to the
analyzer) and one outlet/exit point/ for the result of action. The logic of
work of controllable SFU is slightly different from that of the uncontrollable SFU.
Such SFU will produce the result of action not only depending on the presence
of the external influence, but the presence of permission at the command entry
point. Implementation of action will start in the presence of certain external influence
and permission at the command entry point. The action would not be performed in
the presence of the external influence and the absence of permission at the
command entry point. For the controllable SFU the action regulator is the
permission at the command entry point. That is why such SFU are called controllable.
The analogues of controllable SFU in a living organism are, for example, pulmonary
functional ventilation units (FVU) or functional perfusion units (FPU), histic
functional perfusion units (FPU), secretion functional units (cells of various
secretion glands, SFU), kidney nephrons, liver acinuses, etc. The control block’s
elements are built of (assembled from) other ordinary elements suitable in
terms of their characteristics. It can be built both of executive elements combined
in a certain manner and simultaneously performing the function of both execution
and management, and from other executive elements not belonging to the given
group and segregated in a separate chain of management. In the latter case they
may be precisely the same as executive elements, but may be made of other
elements as well. For example, muscular contraction functional units consist of
muscular cells, but are managed by nervous centers consisting of nerve cells.
At the same time, all kinds of cells, both nerve and muscular, are built of
almost identical building materials – proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals. The difference
between the controllable and uncontrollable FSU is only in the availability of
command entry point. It is it that determines the change of the algorithm of
its work. Performance of the controllable SFU depends not only on the external
influence, but on the M disabling at the command entry point. The control block
is very simple, if it contains only DPC (the “Х” receptor and afferent channels),
the analyzer-informant and a stimulator. SFU are primary cells, executive elements of any
systems. As we can see, despite their elementary character, they represent a
fairly complex and multi-component object. Each of them contains not less than
two types of elements (management/control and executive) and each type includes
more and more, but these elements are mandatory attributes of any SFU. The SFU
complexity is the complexity of hierarchy of their elements. There is no any special
difference between the executive elements and the elements of management/control.
Ultimately all in this world consists of electrons, protons and neutrons. The
difference between them lies only in their position in the hierarchy of
systems, i.e. in their positional relationship. The composite SFU contains 4
simple SFU. In the absence of the external influence all simple SFU are
inactive and no result of action is produced. In the presence of the external influence of
“Х”, if the command says “no” (disabling of /ban on action), all SFU would be inactive
and no result of action produced. In the presence of external influence and if the
command says “yes” (permission for action), all SFU would be active and the
result of action produced. The “capacity” of the composite SFU is 4 times higher
than the “capacity” of simple SFU. SFU is activated through the inputs of command
of their control blocks. Every simple SFU has its own DPC and DPC common for
all of them. Uncontrollable and controllable SFU may be used to build other
(composite) SFU, more powerful than single SFU. In the real world there are few
simple SFU which bring about minimal indivisible result of action. There are a
lot more of composite SFU. For instance, the cartridge filled with grains of
gunpowder is a constituent part of SFU (SFU for a shot), but its explosion energy
is much higher that that of single grain of gunpowder. The composite SFU flow
diagram is very similar to that of simple SFU. It is only quantity variance that
stipulates the difference between the composite and simple SFU. Simple SFU
contains only one SFU, just SFU itself, whereas the composite SFU contains several
SFU, so there is a possibility of strengthening of the result of action.
Thus, simple and composite SFU contain two types of elements: executive
elements (effectors performing specific actions for the achievement of the system’s
preset ovearll goal) and the elements of management (block) (DPC, the
analyzer-informant and the stimulator activating SFU). Composite SFU has the
same control block as the separate SFU, i.e. the elementary one with direct
positive (guiding) connection (DPC). Composite SFU perform based on the “all-or-none”
principle, too, i.e. they either produce maximal result of action in response to
external influence or wait for this external influence and do not perform any
actions. Composite SFU only differ from simple SFU in the force or amplitude of
reaction which is proportional to the number of simple SFU. If the domino dices are placed in a
sequential row the result of their action would be the lasting sound of the falling
dices which duration would be equal to the sum of series of drops of every dice
(extension of duration of the result of action). If the domino dices are placed
in a parallel row the result of their action would be the short, but loud sound
equal to the total sound volume resulting from the drop of each separate dice (capacity extension).
The performance cycle of an ideal simple and composite SFU is formed by micro cycles:
perception and selection of external influence by the “X” receptor and
decision-making; influence on the executive elements (SFU); response/operation
of executive elements (SFU); function termination. The “X” receptor starts to
operate following the onset of external influence (the 1st micro cycle).
Subsequently some time would be spent for the decision-making, since this
decision itself is the result of action of certain SFU comprising the control
block (the 2nd micro cycle). Thereafter all SFU would be activated (joined
in) (the 3rd micro cycle). The operating time of the SFU response/operation
depends on the speed of utilization of energy spent for the SFU performance,
for example, the speed of reduction of sarcomere in a muscular cell which is determined
by speed of biochemical reactions in the muscular cell. After that all SFU terminate
their function (the 4th micro cycle). At that, the SFU spends its
entire energy it had and could use to perform this action. As far as the
sequence of actions and result of action would always be the same, the measure
of energy would always be the same as well (energy quantum). In order for the SFU
to be able to perform a new action it needs to be “recharged”. It may also take
some time (the time of charging). The way it happens is discussed in the
section devoted to passive and active systems (see below). Any SFU’s
performance cycle consists of these micro cycles. Therefore, its operating
cycle time would always be the same and equal to the sum of these micro cycles.
Once SFU started its actions, it would not stop until it has accomplished its full
cycle. This is the reason of uncontrollability of any SFU in the course of
their performance (absolute adiaphoria), whereby the external influence may
quickly finish and resume, but it would not stop and react to the new external
influence until the SFU has finished its performance. In real composite SFU these
micro cycles may be supplemented by micro cycles caused by imperfection of real
objects, for example, non-synchronism of the executive elements’ operation due to their
dissimilarity. Hence, it follows that even the elementary systems represented
by SFU do not react/operate immediately and they need some time to produce the
result of action. It is this fact that explains the inertness/lag effect/ of systems
which can be measured by using the time constant parameter. But generally
speaking it is not inertness/lag effect/, but rater a transitory (intermittent)
inertness of an object (adiaphoria), its inability to respond to the external
influence at certain phases of its performance. True inertness is explained by
independence of the result of action of the system which produced this result
(see below). Time constant is the time between the onset of external influence
and readiness for a new external influence after the achievement of the result of action. The analogues
of composite SFU are all objects which operate similarly to avalanche. The “domino
principle” works in such cases. One impact brings about the downfall of the
whole. However, the number of downfalls would be equal to the number of SFU. Pushing
one domino dice will cause its drop resulting just in one click. Pushing a row
of domino dices will result in as many clicks as is the number of dices in the
row. Biological analogues of composite SFU are, for example, functional ventilation
units (FVU), each of which consisting of large group (several hundred) of alveoli
which are simultaneously joining in process of ventilation or escape from it. Liver
acynuses, vascular segments of mesentery, pulmonary vascular functional units,
etc., are the analogues of composite SFU. Thus, simple SFU is the object which
can react to certain external influence, while the result of its performance
would always be maximal because the control block would not control it, i.e. it
works under the “all-or-none” law. The type of its reaction is caused by the type
of SFU. There are two kinds of simple SFU: uncontrollable and controllable.
Both react to the specific external influence. But additional external
permission signal at the command entry point is required for the operation of
controllable SFU, whereas the uncontrollable SFU have no command entry point.
Therefore, the uncontrollable SFU does not depend on any external guiding
signals. The control block of controllable and uncontrollable SFU consists of
the analyzer-informant and has only DPC (the “Х” informant and afferent
channels). The composite
Systemic Functional Unit is a kind of an object similar to
simple SFU, but the result of its action is stronger. It works under the “all-or-none”
law, too, and its reaction is stipulated by type and number of its SFU. It can
really be that the constituent parts of composite SFU may be controllable and
uncontrollable, and the difference between them may only be stipulated by the
presence of command entry point in the general control block through which the
permission for the performance of action is communicated. The control block of
a system is elementary, too, and has only DPC and analyzer-informant. Hence,
any SFU function under the “all-or-none” law. SFU is arranged in such a way
that it either does nothing, or gives out a maximal result of action. Its
elementary result of action is either delivered or not delivered. There might
be SFU which delivers the result of action, for example, twice as large as the
result of action of another SFU. But it will always be twice as large. Each
result of action of a simple SFU is quantum of action (indivisible portion), at
that being maximal for the given SFU. It is indivisible because SFU cannot deliver
part (for instance, half) of the result of action. And as far as it is “the
indivisible portion” there can not be a gradation. For instance, SFU may be
opened or closed, generate or not generate electric current, secrete or not
secrete something, etc. But it cannot regulate the quantity of the result of
action as its result always is either not delivered or is maximal. Such
operating mode is very rough, inaccurate and unfavorable both for the SFU per
se and its goal/objective. Let’s imagine that instead of a steering wheel in
our car there will be a device which will right away maximally swerve to the
right when we turn a steering wheel to the right or will maximally swerve to
the left if we turn it to the left. Instead of smooth and accurate trimming to follow
the designate course of movement the car will be harshly rushing about from
right to left and other way round. The goal will not be achieved and the car
will be destroyed. Basically the composite Systemic Functional Unit could have delivered
graded result of action since it has several SFU which it could actuate in a variable
sequence. But such system cannot do so because it “does not see” the result of
action and cannot compare it with what should be done/what it should be.
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