How Open Systems Explain Life’s Balance and Resilience

Recently I have been reading the book “General Systems Theory: Foundations, Development and Applications” recommended by Professor Zhu Haonan (author Ludwig von Bertalanffy). I gained a deeper understanding that many phenomena in nature can be explained by the concept and theory of systems . For example, how organisms maintain balance in constantly changing environments, or how humans find their rhythm amid turbulence.

This article briefly shares some of my insights and hopes to inspire readers.

First, I introduce a concept— open chemical system . An open chemical system is a system that continuously exchanges matter and energy with the outside, unlike a closed system that does not exchange and eventually reaches a relatively static equilibrium.

We take the human metabolic system as an example. The human body is a typical open chemical system . Every day we ingest food, absorb nutrients and energy, and waste is expelled via the excretory system. This continuous process sustains life and health.

In a closed system, without external input, the system eventually reaches a static balance. However, the human body, as an open system, relies on a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen, maintaining dynamic balance and quickly adjusting to environmental changes .

For instance, during intense exercise the body consumes more energy and oxygen. To maintain supply, respiration and heart rate increase, and carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste are expelled, allowing physiological balance across different conditions.

A core feature of open systems is dynamic steady state . Although internal matter and energy constantly change, the overall system remains relatively stable. This state depends on continuous external input such as energy or reactants. Mathematically we can represent this balance with a model where input equals output at steady state.

Let X be the concentration of a component, I the input rate, and R the production/consumption rate. At steady state the total amount does not change, so input equals output.

Open systems also exhibit an interesting property called different causes, same effect . In simple terms, regardless of the starting point or path, the system may reach the same state. For example, a plant seed, no matter where it is sown, can grow into a similar plant.

This insight is significant: different starting points and paths can lead to similar results. Previously I wrote about differential equations where different factors lead to different outcomes, but this reveals another side.

Mathematically, convergent outcomes can be expressed as follows: let S(t) be the system state at time t, S0 the initial state, C the part related to initial conditions, and D the part that evolves over time. Ideally, regardless of how C changes, the final state S(t) is the same.

These characteristics of open systems can be mapped to our lives. First, life is also an open system : we constantly acquire knowledge, resources, and experience from the outside while outputting effort and creation. Maintaining dynamic balance requires finding a suitable rhythm in all aspects of life, avoiding overconsumption or stagnation.

Additionally, we must learn self‑regulation . When facing setbacks or external pressure, the ability to quickly adjust mindset and restore internal balance reflects personal resilience. This adjustment process is akin to steady‑state regulation, key to finding suitable recovery methods, akin to “resilience” and “repair ability”.

The convergent nature of open systems tells us that there is no single path to success . Different starting points and choices can lead to the same goal. The key is persistence and adaptation, finding one’s steady state amid change. (Author: Wang Haihua)