Harmony as a Criterion of System Viability

This paper examines harmony as the central criterion of system viability within the framework of Vitology as an interdisciplinary research program centered on the concept of viability. Harmony is understood as the coordinated state of relationships among system components that enables systems to preserve integrity, maintain stable functioning, activate regenerative processes, adapt to changing conditions, and sustain long-term development. Unlike approaches that interpret harmony primarily as philosophical, aesthetic, or ethical balance, Vitology considers harmony a universal systemic criterion applicable to biological, ecological, social, organizational, technical, and other complex systems. The paper discusses the relationship between harmony and existing scientific approaches, including systems theory, cybernetics, homeostasis, resilience studies, and complex adaptive systems research. Particular attention is devoted to the universality of harmony as an indicator of increasing system viability. Keywords Vitology, harmony, system viability, coordination, integrity, balance, feedback, self-regulation, regeneration, adaptation, systems theory, cybernetics, resilience, complex adaptive systems.