Authors:
  • One advantage of exhibiting a hierarchy of systems in this way is that it gives us some idea of the present gaps in both theoretical and empirical knowledge. Adequate theoretical models extend up to about the fourth level, and not much beyond. Empirical knowledge is deficient at practically all levels.

    "General systems theory - the skeleton of science". Kenneth E. Boulding, Management Science, Volume 2, No. 3 (p. 201), April 1956.