Physics and Complexity

David Sherrington

We present a broad overview of the complex behaviour arising in systems having many degrees of freedom, through the combination of competitive interactions and disorder; this happens even with very simple ingredients at the microscopic level. We illustrate the richness that has arisen, in conceptual understanding, in methodology and in application, across a large range of scientific disciplines, together with a hint of some of the further opportunities that remain to be tapped. These disciplines include mathematics, biology and neuroscience, and economics, as well as physics. Our perspective will be that of physics, trying to show how the concepts and methodologies of physics have contributed to and been stimulated by these other areas.

Additional resources for this talk: slides, video.