Principles of Sociocybernetics

Principles of Sociocybernetics

-Bernd R. Hornung -Marburg University, Germany

European Systems Science Union (ESSU)6th EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON SYSTEMS SCIENCE

Paris, France, September 19-22, 2005

ISA – International Sociological Association RC51 on Sociocybernetics

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics 2

1. INTRODUCTION

1) What is Sociocybernetics ?

2) How does it relate to (general) system theory and (1st and 2nd order) cybernetics ?

3) Which are the basic principles that system theory and sociocybernetics have in common and how can they be applied in sociology and other social sciences ?


2. SOCIOCYBERNETICS

System Theory, Systems Science. Study of observed systems vs. study of

observing systems (cf. H. von Foerster) Constructivist epistemology

The application of system theory or rather systems science, including 1st and 2nd order cybernetics, to sociology and the other social sciences.


URL: http://www.unizar.es/sociocybernetics/

http://www.unizar.es/sociocybernetics/


3. A PARADIGM OR DISCIPLINARY MATRIX

(according to Thomas S. Kuhn)

1) A scientific community2) Metaphysical assumptions3) Central components of a theory4) Specific methods5) Standards for problem solutions6) Paradigm in a narrow sense - EXEMPLAR7) Kind of data accepted by scientific com.8) Specific problems to be dealt with


3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY IWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

Scientific Associations, e.g.:

- WOSC, World Organization of General Systems and Cybernetics

- ISSS, International Society for Systems Sciences- IFSR, International Federation for Systems Research- Society for Systems Science- UES/ESSU, Union europeénne des systèmes,

- European Systems Science Union- RC51, Research Committee 51 on Sociocybernetics

of the ISA – International Sociological Association


3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY IIWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

Institutes, e.g.:

- IIASA, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg near Vienna

- Instituto Andino de Sistemas, Lima, Peru- FHG/ISI Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Institut für System-

technik und Innovationsforschung, Karlsruhe, Germany- Santa Fé Institute, Santa Fé, USA


3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY IIIWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

Journals, e.g.:

- Kybernetes- Behavioral Science- International Journal for General Systems- International Journal for Systems Science- Revista Internacional de Sistemas


3.2 METAPHYSICAL ASSUMPTIONSWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

1) Nominalism / Constructivism

2) Unity of Nature / Unity of Science

3) Interdisciplinarity

4) Holism / Emergence / Synergy

5) Complexity / Interdepence /6) Networks


3.3 CENTRAL COMPONENTS OF THEORYWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

1) Relation System-Environment2) Systems Hierarchy3) Feedback Loops (negative & positive)4) Information Processing5) Cognition (Knowledge, Meaning)6) Problem-Solving7) Complexity8) Self-Organization / Autopoiesis


1) Graphical Representation

2) Modelling

3) Computer Simulation

3.4 SPECIFIC METHODSWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

A model is a construction; it permits to experiment, to test, and to simulate


3.5 STANDARDS FOR PROBLEM SOLUTIONSWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

1) Solutions compatible with the theories and methodologies of systems science and cybernetics

Solutions both to theoretical problems and to practical issues and applications


3.6 THE PARADIGM(or Exemplar) of Systems Science

1) The System

- e.g. according to Laszlo


3.7 DATAWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

1) All data acceptable by the sciences and the social sciences

In addition data obtained by means of simulations


3.8 SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND ISSUESWithin the Paradigm of Systems Science

1) All empirical and theoretical issues related to the specific concepts and methodology of system theory


4. Basic Principles: WHAT IS A SYSTEM ?

A system is a whole

which consists of interdependent components.


4. Basic Principles (cont.):THE ONTOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION

1) Event2) Process3) Structure („slow“ variables)


4. Basic Principles (cont.): CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM

(according to Laszlo)

1) Holon property - it is a whole

2) Negative feedback circles

3) Positive feedback circles

4) Systems hierarchy


4. Basic Principles (cont.):RELATIONS AND CIRCULARITIES

1) Structure: Focussing on relations between « objects »

not on « objets »

2) Process: Circular causality, self-referential sequences


CAUSALITY

Cause and Effect

Multi-Causality

Feedback


++

Positive Feedback

-

Negative Feedback

CIRCULAR CAUSALITY


+

-

Compare

Effect Measure

CIRCULAR CAUSALITY(cont.)


Compare

Effect Measure

- Cognition -

- Outputs - - Inputs -

Action/ Matter/Energy

Communication/ Information

- Transformation -

Organisational Work

Matter/EnergyInformation

CIRCULAR CAUSALITY (cont.)


Organisational Work

Adaptation:Changement structurel enréaction à l´environnement

Adaptation:Structural change in reaction to the environment

Self-Organisation:- Structuring and Restructuring

Self-Reproduction/Autopoiesis:- Producing/Replacing Components

CIRCULAR CAUSALITY (cont.)

(Self-) Procreation/Life:- Creation of New Systems


4. Basic Principles (cont.):THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPLEXITY

1) Circular Causality

2) Positive Feedback: Deviation amplification

3) Negative Feedback: Deviation reduction

4) Absence of feedback effects

5) Controle: Feedback after the event - corrective action

6) Steering: Feed-forward before the event – anticipative action


4. Basic Principles (cont.):THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPLEXITY

1) Goal-orientation: Conscious systems, decision-making

2) Information processing

3) Self-organisation

4) Living systems, autopoietic systems


4. Basic Principles (cont.): THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPLEXITY

1) Goal-Orientation: Goal-seeking systems, conscious systems, decision-making systems

2) Information Processing: Communication between two or more systems

3) Circular processes of self-organization;

4) Living systems, autopoietic systems


5. APPLICATIONS TO SOCIOLOGY

Social Systems : Interactions and communications between individuals or actor-systems.

1) Feedback between different levels of systems and the

different levels of emergence – both upwards and downwards2) Organization of social phenomena at different levels of

emergence and different levels of social structure3) Analysis of effects of communication, action, steering,

and control in hybrid systems: Communities, regions, countries, etc. according to the type of sociological

units (individuals, small groups, collectivities, organizations, etc.)

Documents

Principles of Sociocybernetics