The web of life 

The living web of systems theory weaves a profound narrative that connects life’s smallest units to its grandest societies. What defines life itself? Ludwig von Bertalanffy (2015) challenged mechanistic views, asserting that living systems thrive through processes—growth, self-regulation, and environmental exchange—not mere mechanics. Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi (2014) echo this, proposing that life emerges from the interplay of pattern, structure, and process, a dance of autopoiesis and cognition spanning organisms, ecosystems, and beyond.

This article delves into how these principles illuminate biology’s open systems, ecology’s Gaia framework, and humanity’s organizational dynamics. From cells adapting to stimuli to Earth maintaining homeostasis and organizations fostering resilience, systems theory reveals a universal lens.

Understanding key concepts in systems theory illuminates their applications across biological, ecological, and human systems, allowing us to assess their universal applicability.