The cybernetics of social change – and history

Nechansky, Helmut

doi:10.1108/03684920810851177

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In a previous paper we have shown that the minimal content of an elementary decision can be derived from a simple feedback system (Nechansky, 2006). Applying that approach to decision making on a macro level we showed that the possibilities for interactions between goalorientated systems are limited (Nechansky, 2007), which explains the limited behavioural and developmental options even of social systems (Nechansky, 2008a(Nechansky, , 2008b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Design rules for complex goal‐orientated systems

Nechansky¹

2009

Syst. Res.

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Feedback systems have often been considered as relevant for an understanding of the brain. But obviously most biological systems have a much more complicated structure. Surprisingly the functional and structural necessities determining the route from simple feedback systems to complex goal-orientated systems like the brain have never been investigated. Therefore this paper studies systematically the possibilities for adding functional elements like sensors, memory, effectors etc. to a feedback system. Then it investigates which combinations of functional elements are necessary to get to working goal-orientated systems. Based on that necessities and options of data organization and the resulting cognitive possibilities are analysed. This abstract analysis delivers design rules for complex-technical and biological-goal-orientated systems and basic epistemological facts how additional functional elements can add to their cognitive abilities. Finally, a 'design for a simple brain' illustrates the application of these design rules.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Design rules for complex goal‐orientated systems

Nechansky¹

2009

Syst. Res.

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“…In “Elements of a cybernetic epistemology”, Nechansky (2007, 2008a, 2008b) shows that four modes of coexistence result as a cybernetic necessity that arise from only four factors (Nechansky, 2008a, p. 85): the number of systems trying to control one controlled system; the relative positions of their goal-values in relation to each other; the relative positions of their goal-values in relation to the actual state of the controlled system; and the variety and power of their actions.” …”

Section: A Brief Comparison With Nechansky’s Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nechansky (2008b), in his article on “The cybernetics of social change – and history” when considering the context of foreign policy, refers to “submissive foreign policy”: “Occasionally we find that a social unit surrenders to a too strong opponent, or decides to merge with another one to get protection against such an opponent. The resulting mode of coexistence is the lower position in a hierarchy”.…”

Section: A Brief Comparison With Nechansky’s Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Affect and cognition, part 2: affect types and mindset types

Fink

Yolles

2018

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Purpose A typology of basic affective and cognitive orientations is developed within a generic cultural socio-cognitive trait theory of a “plural affect agency” (the emotional organisation). Design/methodology/approach Affective personality is defined in terms of a set of affect traits. These are defined in terms of epistemically independent bipolar affect types, which in turn coalesce into a set of mindset types that can be related to the classical four temperaments. Findings Different affect types are supposed to differently regulate the three stages of emotion management. Affect types and cognitive types provide mutual contexts, and foster reciprocal affect and cognitive orientations. Research limitations/implications The theory provides guidance for analysis of cultural differentiation within social systems (societies/organisations), with reference to identification, elaboration and execution of “emotion knowledge” and “cognitive knowledge”. Practical implications Understanding interdependencies between cognition and emotion regulation is a prerequisite of managerial intelligence and strategic cultural intelligence, which is in demand for interaction and integration processes across social systems. Originality/value From the framework model linking emotion expression and emotion regulation with cognition analysis, a typology arises allowing ex-ante expectation of typical patterns of behaviour.

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“…It can serve as a first approximation for any decision‐making process. Making the formula for an elementary decision and the goal orientation of decisions explicit, makes it easy to apply cybernetics, and aspects of control theory, to social systems (Nechansky, 2007, 2008a, c).…”

Section: Feedback Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cybernetics as the science of decision making

Nechansky¹

2011

Kybernetes

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present decision making as the decisive activity of controllers, necessary to correct deviations from a goal value in controlled systems by deciding on goal‐oriented actions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a functional approach it is shown how an increasing complexity of controller structures follows an increasing ability to make more complex decisions. Two applications are used to analyze that in detail: first, the controller structures necessary for Miller's living systems and for Beer's viable systems are presented in one comparable scheme. Second, a complex controller structure illustrates the basic requirements for a brain.FindingsAnalyzing necessary decisions in Beer's viable systems it is shown how the elementary decisions found in feedback systems can be used as a first approximation for decision making. Hence, it is shown how principles of decision making determine the development of complex controller structures.Practical implicationsThe paper provides basic analytic tools to understand the interrelation between controller structures and the content of the decision these structures can make. It shows four different evolutionary paths from feedback systems towards brain structures. Also it emphasizes the role of goal values in decision making and their importance especially for social systems.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to present cybernetics as a science of structures that enable certain decisions. It is suggested that making explicit the goal orientation of decision making gives cybernetics an additional relevance for the social sciences.

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The cybernetics of social change – and history

Cited by 9 publications

References 6 publications

Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Design rules for complex goal‐orientated systems

Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Design rules for complex goal‐orientated systems

Affect and cognition, part 2: affect types and mindset types

Cybernetics as the science of decision making

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