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3. Dynamic systems with multiple equilibrium

3.a) Expert systems

The human decision-making process' configuration is one of the most complex existing systems; it is influenced by innumerable variables that are by nature both structural and short-term or environmental.

Just like countries do not all have the same political system; each person has his or her own system of dynamic equilibrium for decision-making.

Within the structural variables we can cite:

• Differences in the systems of information and the perception of the external physical reality.
• Different endowments of capacities that influence the making of abstract constructions, in other words, in the development of expert systems and systems of control.
• Alternative evolutive ways regarding the pondering of elements in the diverse decision-making processes.
• Resistance or response to pain or other changes.

The most relevant aspect of interest here is the direct executive nature of the decisions made. Depending on the circumstances or the context, the decision-making system uses one process or another -even if the change of process implies a change in the decision, although a person is conscious of the change, the new decision will normally be carried out. After all, this is why he/she made the decision.

It is worth pointing out that the change of operative in the process of decision-making occurs automatically, that is, without the control of the conscious person. In fact, the functioning of global dynamic system is probably too complex.

However, what we can do is control the main determining factors of the dynamic system so as to guarantee the appropriate functioning of the systems of control and to provide it the desired stability without overlooking the fact that flexibility is a good characteristic. This explains its existence and that the exceptions are necessary such as those that provoke the manifestation of emotions.

Among these determining factors we can point out the water and food the body has available. These are obvious, but are no less important for this reason! Everyone knows the beneficial effect of vitamins in fruit, and therefore... Maybe they have not been explained clearly enough.

3.b) Emotions and control system design

The awareness of our own emotional states and their influence on these decision-making processes will help us, if needed, to understand why there are changes in previously made decisions.

 
Where are emotions from?
 

 

It is especially worth identifying states of anxiety and irritability because it is very possible that, the decision-making process is then found among what we have called forced systems due to vices of will.

One of the characteristics of the systems of dynamic equilibrium is that they are often systems with multiple equilibriums. That is, even with all their equal parameters, the equilibriums can be different according to the path followed to reach the equilibrium; in our case the equilibrium will be indicated by the decision made.

This characteristic is of considerable importance because it can produce emotions that can cause very dangerous situations when trying to leave a forced system; this could be the typical example of uncontrolled reactions produced by someone trying to stop consuming hard drugs.

A less dangerous but more common example is when someone tries to quit smoking tobacco, and a marked state of anxiety and irritability is produced with the emotional instability that accompanies it for many types of emotions.

In all of these examples, trying to control emotions by means of the main determining factors mentioned is the least that can be done to return the dynamic system to a normal path and to avoid producing emotions not planned or so artificially.

On the other hand, what seems dangerous is managing emotions which can alter its natural function.