Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1968) General System Theory. p. 90-91.
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There are quite a number of novel developments intended to meet the needs of a general theory of systems. We may enumerate them in brief survey: 1. Cybernetics, based upon the principle of feedback or circular causal trains providing mechanisms for goal-seeking and self-controlling behavior. 2. Information theory, introducing the concept of information as a quantity measurable by an expression isomorphic to negative entropy in physics, and developing the principles of its transmission. 3. Game theory, analyzing in a novel mathematical framework, rational competition between two or more antagonists for maximum gain and minimum loss. 4. Decision theory, similarly analyzing rational choices, within human organizations, based upon examination of a given situation and its possible outcomes. 5. Topology or relational mathematics, including non-metrical fields such as network and graph theory. 6. Factor analysis, i.e., isolation by way of mathematical analysis, of factors in multivariable phenomena in psychology and other fields 7. General system theory in the narrower sense (G.S.T.), trying to derive from a general definition of “system” as complex of interacting components, concepts characteristic of organized wholes such as interaction, sum, mechanization, centralization, competition, finality, etc., and to apply them to concrete phenomena. While systems theory in the broad sense has the character of a basic science, it has its correlate in applied science, sometimes subsumed under the general name of Systems Science.

— Ludwig von Bertalanffy on Game theory

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "There are quite a number of novel developments intended to meet the needs of a general theory of systems. We may enumerate them in brief survey: 1. Cybernetics, based upon the principle of feedback or circular causal trains providing mechanisms for goal-seeking and self-controlling behavior. 2. Information theory, introducing the concept of information as a quantity measurable by an expression isomorphic to negative entropy in physics, and developing the principles of its transmission. 3. Game theory, analyzing in a novel mathematical framework, rational competition between two or more antagonists for maximum gain and minimum loss. 4. Decision theory, similarly analyzing rational choices, within human organizations, based upon examination of a given situation and its possible outcomes. 5. Topology or relational mathematics, including non-metrical fields such as network and graph theory. 6. Factor analysis, i.e., isolation by way of mathematical analysis, of factors in multivariable phenomena in psychology and other fields 7. General system theory in the narrower sense (G.S.T.), trying to derive from a general definition of “system” as complex of interacting components, concepts characteristic of organized wholes such as interaction, sum, mechanization, centralization, competition, finality, etc., and to apply them to concrete phenomena. While systems theory in the broad sense has the character of a basic science, it has its correlate in applied science, sometimes subsumed under the general name of Systems Science." in the context of "Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1968) General System Theory. p. 90-91." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Game theory" (Quotes: Quotes are arranged alphabetically per author, A - F) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Ludwig von Bertalanffy

About Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Ludwig von Bertalanffy (September 19, 1901 – June 12, 1972) was an Austrian-born biologist, who grew up in Austria and subsequently worked in Vienna, London, Canada, and the USA. He is known as one of the founders of general systems theory; an interdisciplinary practice that describes systems with interacting components, applicable to biology, cybernetics and other fields. Bertalanffy proposed that the classical laws of thermodynamics applied to closed systems, but not necessarily to "open systems," such as living things. His mathematical model of an organism's growth over time, published in 1934, is still in use today.