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Title: Hierarchy Theory by Valerie Ahl, T. F. H. Allen ISBN: 0-231-08481-1 Publisher: Columbia University Press Pub. Date: 15 October, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $23.50

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Cutting through complexity, without oversimplifying
Comment: How do we approach complex problems and situations ? By controlling behavior and tightening down tolerances, by intervening through steering before things go too chaotic, by trying to get the initial conditions exactly right, by repeating what works, even if we don't understand why it works.

Hierarchy Theory is a profound interdisciplinary approach to analyzing complex circumstances which builds on the alternate approach of taking a step back and redefining problems, largely by altering the role of the observer. When we stop taking the observer for granted, we can change the boundaries and interpretation of the observations.

The role of hierarchy theory is to focus on areas where collecting more data doesn't help, where we have to look at the frame within which the data was gathered, and change our view. It makes levels of organization and levels of observation explicit. The "bounded rationality" of Herbert Simon, and modern complexity theory are used as a foundation, but they don't intrude on this explanation, which stands on its own.

Along with nature and nurture, does hierarchy really matter in nature ? Probably. It certainly has mattered historically, and there is no indication that we've solved all of the complex problems through a final vision of nature.

Is this theory of practical value ? I have no idea. But this book does a very fine job of explaining and illustrating it in a way that makes you think about complex problems in a new way.

Rating: 4
Summary: Hierarchy Theory: A Vision, Vocabulary and Epistomology
Comment: At first glance, Ahl and Allen's book appears to be for the unsophisticated reader - a disservice done by the illustrations. Upon reading it, however, one quickly discovers that it cuts right to heart of what hierarchy theory is and why it is important. Fitting to the subject, the book hovers between philosophy, ecology and the scientific method. It would be nice if the book were a little bit more mathematically oriented . Other works in this area also lack in this regard (Salthe's "Evolving Hierarchical Systems" ) This book will be of interest to readers who enjoyed such works as "Goedel, Escher, Bach", John Holland's "Emergence" or Robert Rosen's "Life Itself". Allen's "Toward a Unified Ecology" is also a closely related work.

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