A criterion of relative degree of chaos or order for open systems

The main concepts of the new interdisciplinary branch of science known as ‘physics of open systems’ are discussed and a possible criterion of relative degree of order in nonequilibrum states of open systems is especially considered. On that basis the concept of ‘norms of chaos’ (or ‘norms of order’) is set forth and the definition of processes of degradation and self-organization is given a physical meaning. Some cases in which use can be made of the methods of physics of open systems even in economics, sociology and physiology are briefly discussed.