http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ASC/ENVIRONMENT.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
ENVIRONMENT
______________________________________________________Parent Node(s): ASC Glossary on Cybernetics
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ENVIRONMENT
Environment is most often used as a synonym of
state of nature, a concept useful in modeling. It embraces all
external factors or forces that are beyond the influence of the
DECISION MAKER but nevertheless affect the CONSEQUENCES of his
action. Environment is also occasionally used as a synonym of
STATE OF THE WORLD. The difference between the two concepts is
that state of the world can include the consequences of a course
of action as well as the external factors, while the state of
nature comprises the external factors only (IIASA)