state space

Every >system can be described in a state space with a number of dimensions identifying the properties of the system. In evolutionary theory, these dimensions emerge from the functions that allow the system to reproduce and to maintain its structure in a given environment. The state space is an ontological category, yet there is no absolute state space, and we can make a difference between state spaces as defined and perceived by different observers of a system. The "true" state space is endogenous to the evolutionary process, and total knowlegde of this may only be accessible for an omniscient being for whom >impossibility theorems apply.

The dimensional change of a state space is >novelty and called "emergence". An increase of the number of dimensions is an increase of >knowledge in terms of >information, whereas an increase of >enformation is possible in a constant state space, being equivalent to a decrease of >entropy without qualitative change.

For example, products can be described in a state space of their properties. This state space is relative to the reach of functional analysis (e.g. competitive context, including environmental aspects or not). If a new product defines a new function ("innovation"), the number of dimensions of the state space has increased and hence, the knowledge embodied in the economic system.

The state space of an actor defines his or her >capacity. According to bimodal analysis, this state space can be perceived differently by this actor and another one, because capacity and knowledge about capacity are different.

Basic References

The concept of state space is familiar from standard economics, as e.g. in the description of goods in a space of properties. Our special use follows:
Ayres, Robert U., Information, Entropy, and Progress. A New Evolutionary Paradigm, New York: AIP Press, 1994.

Semantic Field
system
state space   information/enformation