詹姆斯·格黑尔·米勒 (James Grier Miller）是实用系统理论的代表人；其生物学系统观一把系统及其部分划分为有机确定的子系统，被称为"生命系统论"。

James Grier Miller (1916 - 7 Nov 2002) was an American biologist, a pioneer of systems science, who originated the modern use of the term "behavioral science", and founded and directed the multi-disciplinary Mental Health Research Institute at the University of Michigan.

The Multi-disciplinary scope

Miller traced his interests in the merging of biological and social sciences to his undergraduate days as a member of the Harvard Society of Fellows, and to the influence of Alfred Whitehead. Whitehead became his particular mentor as well as personal friend and strongly influenced his future intellectual interests. He suggested that Miller makes a serious attempt to develop a theoretical integration of the biological and social sciences dealing with mankind and other living beings, comparable to the general cosmological theories about the physical universe developed by Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington and Sir James H. Jeans, who were at Cambridge while Whitehead was teaching there. At Chicago, Miller was also stimulated to integrate the biological and social sciences through discussions with nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi, who felt that such advances were important for the survival of the human race in view of the development of the destructive force of nuclear explosions.

Mental Health Research Institute

In 1955, Miller, who was then chairman of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago, accepted the invitation of Dr. Raymond Waggoner, chairman of the U-M Medical School Department of Psychiatry, to establish the Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI): an interdisciplinary institute dedicated to the behavioral sciences, an advanced concept for the time.

Miller’s ultimate, ambitious goal was to bring a variety of scientists to freely exchange ideas, and to reveal commonalities in the function and information processing of cells, organs, individuals, and societal groups and organizations. Miller brought with him from the University of Chicago the eminent Ralph W. Gerard, a neurophysiologist, and Anatol Rapoport, a mathematical biologist. Later, Robert I. Crane and Richard L. Meier, also from Chicago, joined the group. The broad interdisciplinary nature of the institute was reflected in the areas of expertise of its members, who also were appointed in diverse University units, including the Law School and the departments of political science, psychology, biological chemistry, sociology, urban planning and psychiatry.

Miller was in 1967 succeeded at the MHRI by the late Gardner Quarton, then by the undersigned, and since 1995, by co-directors Stanley Watson and Huda Akil. Over the years, the institute has remained interdisciplinary but in a more restricted way, emphasizing neuroscience.

Living systems

In 1978, together with his wife and collaborator Jessie, Miller made the case for a unified approach to the biological, psychological and social sciences in the book "Living Systems" a compilation and synthesis that he regarded as the capstone of his career, 25 years in the making which founded the field of Living systems theory.

University of the World

In 1982, Miller created a concept named the "University of the World". His purpose was to create an organization that would link educational institutions in all countries, and serve the educational needs of students of all countries. The premise behind the University of the World is that a better educated world will yield improved international understanding and offer all people a better chance for peace and prosperity. The University of the World has been designed to use electronic telecommunications to disseminate educational resources to students and faculty in all countries.