Black box (systems theory)

In systems theory, a black box refers to a system or component whose internal workings are unknown or not considered; only its inputs and outputs are observable. It’s like a sealed container where you can see what you put in and what comes out, but not how the transformation occurs inside. This concept allows analysts to focus on the system’s behavior and effectiveness without needing detailed knowledge of its internal processes, facilitating understanding, control, and interaction with complex systems where internal details may be inaccessible or unnecessary.