Abstract
In this essay, a critical review of the bases and main characters of the theories of generalized continua is given within the general context of complex systems. After a brief reminder of the various extensions from standard to so-called “generalized” continua, the emphasis is placed on various disputable essential points. These are: the theoretically irreconcilable concepts of material point and continuum, the opposing notions of “discretization” and “continualization”, the important role played by symmetries and invariances in a definitely modern view of the subject matter, and the inevitable introduction of complexity in the mechanics of real materials as illustrated by several examples.
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