technology and nature is founded on the concepts of information and feedback, but as part of a general theory of systems.... [T]he model is of wide application but should not be identified with 'systems theory' in general ... [and] warning is necessary against its incautious expansion to fields for which its concepts are not made.Cybernetics, catastrophe theory, chaos theory and complexity theory have the common goal to explain complex systems that consist of a large number of mutually interacting and interrelated parts in terms of those interactions. Cellular automata, neural networks, artificial intelligence, and artificial life are related fields, but do not try to describe general (universal) complex (singular) systems. The best context to compare the different "C"-Theories about complex systems is historical, which emphasizes different tools and methodologies, from pure mathematics in the beginning to pure computer science today. Since the beginning of chaos theory, when Edward Lorenz accidentally discovered a strange attractor with his computer, computers have become an indispensable source of information. One could not imagine the study of complex systems without the use of computers today. System types Biological Anatomical systems Nervous Sensory Ecological systems Living systems Complex Complex adaptive system Conceptual Coordinate Deterministic (philosophy) Digital ecosystem Experimental Writing Coupled human–environment Database Deterministic (science) Mathematical Dynamical system Formal system Economic Energy Holarchical Information Legal Measurement Imperial Metric Multi-agent Nonlinear Operating Planetary Political Social Star Complex adaptive systems Complex adaptive systems (CAS), coined by John H. Holland, Murray Gell-Mann, and others at the interdisciplinary Santa Fe Institute, are special cases of complex systems: they are complex in that they are diverse and composed of multiple, interconnected elements; they are adaptive in that they have the capacity to change and learn from experience. In contrast to control systems, in which negative feedback dampens and reverses disequilibria, CAS are often subject to positive feedback, which magnifies and perpetuates changes, converting local irregularities into global features. See also List of types of systems theory Glossary of systems theory Autonomous agency theory Bibliography of sociology Cellular automata Chaos theory Complexity Emergence Engaged theory Fractal Grey box model Irreducible complexity Meta-systems Multidimensional systems Open and closed systems in social science Pattern language Recursion (computer science) Reductionism Reversal theory Social rule system theory Sociotechnical system Sociology and complexity science Structure–organization–process Systemantics System identification Systematics – study of multi-term systems Systemics Systemography Systems science Theoretical ecology Tektology User-in-the-loop Viable system theory Viable systems approach