The Attractors of Future
    What do we want the XXI-st Century to be, and how?

Klaus Mainzer
    mainzer@phil12.phil.uni-augsburg.de
   Interdisciplinary Institute of Informatics
      Institute for Philosophy of Science
       University of Augsburg, Universitaetsstrasse 10
86135 Augsburg, Germany
 

The attractors of nonlinear dynamics are well-known in the natural sciences. Complex systems in physics, chemistry, and biology seem to be driven by selforganizing forces near and far from thermal equilibria. Computer scientists are trying to simulate possible scenarios of virtual evolution and artificial life. Materials science, information networks, and biocomputing are highlights of  complexity research at the turn of the century. It is now recognized that many of our social, economic, and political problems are also of a global, complex, and nonlinear nature. Are there concrete models of economical and social systems referring to the attractors of our civilization? How can they help solving complex problems of management, forecasting, and decision? But
mastering the future does not only need an effective management. Ethical standards are demanded in a world with increasing complexity and dynamics.