Foundational Papers presents the first unified charting of the full territory of complexity science—an essential resource for navigating the modern world. 

Foundational Papers in Complexity Science maps the development of complex-systems science through eighty-nine revolutionary works originally published between 1922 and 2000. Curated by SFI President David C. Krakauer, each seminal paper is introduced and placed into its historical context, with enduring insights discussed by leading contemporary complexity scientists.

These four volumes are a product of collective intelligence. More than a compilation, Foundational Papers represents large-scale collaboration within the SFI community—brilliant thinkers who have contextualized the work that shaped their own research, resulting in a sparkling demonstration of how complexity shatters the usual scientific divisions and a look back at the path we’ve followed in order to gain a clearer view of what lies ahead.

See tables of contents for Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Volume 4 will be published in December 2024.

Please note: Due to the prohibitive cost of electronic reprint rights, these books are not available in eBook or PDF format.