On analogous systems

Abstract

A precise definition is given for the analogy of a dynamical system to another system (or subsystem thereof). It is shown that there exist systems which are universal in the sense that they contain subsystems analogous to any arbitrary dynamical system. From this it is argued that the identification of system properties in physics and biology has only a conventional and subjective character, rather than the objective character which is usually supposed. Some preliminary implications of this view are discussed.