Self-Organization as a Fundamental Mechanism of System Viability

This paper examines self-organization as one of the fundamental mechanisms underlying system viability within the framework of Vitology. Self-organization is considered a universal mechanism through which systems spontaneously establish, restore, and improve coordinated structures and interactions without continuous external control. Unlike approaches that interpret self-organization primarily as an emergent property of complex systems, Vitology considers self-organization as a mechanism contributing directly to the preservation and increase of system viability. The paper explores the relationship between self-organization and existing scientific approaches, including systems theory, cybernetics, synergetics, resilience studies, and complex adaptive systems theory. Particular attention is devoted to the role of self-organization in preserving system integrity, supporting adaptation, enabling regeneration, maintaining coordinated functioning, and creating conditions for long-term development across biological, ecological, social, organizational, technical, and artificial systems. Keywords Vitology, self-organization, system viability, systems theory, cybernetics, synergetics, complex adaptive systems, adaptation, regeneration, emergence, resilience, coordination, development.