THEORY OF RELATIVELY CLOSED SYSTEMS WITH ELEMENTS EXHIBITING LINEAR BEHAVIOUR—PART I

This paper presents a general conceptual framework for systems built up of elements causally coupled to each other, when such causal influence can be considered as to take place through well‐defined channels connecting the elements. In Part I, general deterministic systems are treated and in Part II (appearing in the forthcoming issue) the treatment is confined to systems with elements exhibiting linear behaviour. Special attention is given to the relationship between element behaviour, system structure and system behaviour.