Systems Theory vs. Theory of Mind: towards a Synthesis?

Systems theory analyses systems. What, then, is a system? Perhaps the most revealing definition for this is that “a system is an entity that can be seen as a system”! This definition is based on intuitive notions; it embraces everything because all more specific definitions would be too restricting. For example, see Fig. 1 – there are two “black boxes”, the ideal mixer in 1a and the “idea mixer” in 1b; both of them can be seen as systems, having some internal dynamics and well-defined connections to outside world. Of course, the mystery lies in the very different basic nature of these two systems: Whereas the ideal mixer maximizes the entropy, the mental machinery minimizes it, creating order and structure.