Tom, the core ideas in complexity theory include:

1. Emergence – New properties arise from the interactions of parts that cannot be deduced by examining the components individually.
2. Nonlinearity – Small changes can lead to disproportionately large effects because of complex feedback mechanisms.
3. Self-Organization – Systems develop order naturally without centralized control through dynamic internal processes.
4. Adaptation and Co-evolution – Systems and their parts continuously adjust in response to environmental influences, evolving together over time.
5. Interdisciplinary Approach – The theory integrates ideas across diverse disciplines to provide a holistic perspective on understanding complex systems.