Environment is most often used as a synonym of state of nature, a concept useful in
model ing. It embraces all external factors or forces that are beyond the influence of the
decision maker but nevertheless affect the
consequences of his action. Environment is also occasionally used as a synonym of
state of the world. The difference between the two concepts is that state of the world can include the consequences of a course of action as well as the external factors, while the state of nature comprises the external factors only (IIASA)
(1) The
system of surrounding things, conditions or influences, especially affecting the existence or development of someone, something or another system (
see habitat ), (2) the art of enrvironing, (3) the state of being environed. (
Krippendorff )
