The term "system" is not a sudden invention of modern industrial civilization. On the contrary, it represents a development spanning thousands of yearsevolutionary pattern. In early times, it existed as a simplesystematic craft technologyin hydraulic infrastructure and temple architecture—reflecting humanity's intuitive pursuit of holistic performance in practice. This transformation from engineering wisdom to abstract logic forms the grandest historical backdrop of systemic thought.

From 'Arche' to 'Method'

• Archeology and the Concept of System: Thales proposed "Water is the Arche of all things", which is not only primitive materialism but also the earliestconcept of system— an attempt to uncover the unified essence underlying diversity.
• Number and Structuralism: The Pythagorean school believed "Number is the Arche of all things". They no longer focused on matter but on proportions, harmony, and structure among things—marking the emergence of the idea insystemic methodologythat "structure determines function."
• Logos (Logos): Heraclitus made the leap into logic. He argued that true wisdom lies not merely in knowing what matter is, but in understanding "Logos."