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 Sociocybernetics2 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 ?

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics3 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.

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics4 URL:

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics5 3. A PARADIGM OR DISCIPLINARY MATRIX (according to Thomas S. Kuhn) 1)A scientific community 2)Metaphysical assumptions 3)Central components of a theory 4)Specific methods 5)Standards for problem solutions 6)Paradigm in a narrow sense - EXEMPLAR 7)Kind of data accepted by scientific com. 8)Specific problems to be dealt with

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics6 3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY I Within 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics7 3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY II Within 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics8 3.1 THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY III Within 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics9 3.2 METAPHYSICAL ASSUMPTIONS Within 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics CENTRAL COMPONENTS OF THEORY Within the Paradigm of Systems Science 1)Relation System-Environment 2)Systems Hierarchy 3)Feedback Loops (negative & positive) 4)Information Processing 5)Cognition (Knowledge, Meaning) 6)Problem-Solving 7)Complexity 8)Self-Organization / Autopoiesis

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics11 1)Graphical Representation 2)Modelling 3)Computer Simulation 3.4 SPECIFIC METHODS Within the Paradigm of Systems Science A model is a construction; it permits to experiment, to test, and to simulate

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics STANDARDS FOR PROBLEM SOLUTIONS Within 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics THE PARADIGM (or Exemplar) of Systems Science 1)The System -e.g. according to Laszlo

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics DATA Within the Paradigm of Systems Science 1)All data acceptable by the sciences and the social sciences In addition data obtained by means of simulations

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Within the Paradigm of Systems Science 1)All empirical and theoretical issues related to the specific concepts and methodology of system theory

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics16 4. Basic Principles: WHAT IS A SYSTEM ? A system is a whole which consists of interdependent components.

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics17 4. Basic Principles (cont.): THE ONTOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION 1) Event 2) Process 3) Structure („slow“ variables)

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics18 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics19 4. Basic Principles (cont.): RELATIONS AND CIRCULARITIES 1) Structure: Focussing on relations between « objects » not on « objets » 2) Process: Circular causality, self- referential sequences

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics20 CAUSALITY Cause and Effect Multi-Causality Feedback

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics Positive Feedback - Negative Feedback CIRCULAR CAUSALITY

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics Compare Effect Measure CIRCULAR CAUSALITY (cont.)

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics23 Compare Effect Measure - Cognition - - Outputs - - Inputs - Action/ Matter/Energy Communication/ Information - Transformation - Organisational Work Matter/Energy Information CIRCULAR CAUSALITY (cont.)

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics24 Organisational Work Adaptation: Changement structurel en réaction 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics25 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics26 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics27 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

ISA RC51 on Sociocybernetics28 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 downwards 2) Organization of social phenomena at different levels of emergence and different levels of social structure 3) 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.)