Table 1.

Standard assumptions for simple (single-entity) linear systems versus complex nonlinear networks

Simple linear systems	Complex nonlinear networks
Deterministic systems are highly predictable	Deterministic systems may show chaotic behavior and extreme sensitivity to initial conditions
Stability reflects static equilibrium	Stability can reflect trapping within a complex dynamical attractor
Shared properties among different instances of the same type of system suggest shared external influences	Shared properties may reflect a system attractor
Differing properties among instances suggest different external influences	Differing properties may reflect system multistability