Author: Rudolf F. Geyer Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA ISBN: 0313074275 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 261
Book Description
In an effort to shed light on recent developments in sociocybernetic research, this volume represents recent and advanced thinking in this rapidly developing field. The authors address the core problems in social science caused by increasing societal complexity and analyze the inadequacy of many of the methodological tools still used for grappling with nonlinear, self-organizing systems. Together, the 18 contributors propose elements of a new methodology based on sociocybernetic principles aimed at describing and explaining the growth of societal complexity, the contribution of autopoiesis of societal subunits to more societal complexity, and the new simulation-based methodology needed to observe complex social systems. This unique volume contributes to a greater understanding of sociocybernetics and its uses as a method for researching modern problems of increasing complexity and interdependence. The first part of the book deals with increasing societal complexity and contains chapters on its overall development, the complexity of brain-environment interaction loops, organizational change, the development of human values, and the increasing interpenetration of societal subsystems. The second part concentrates on a current issue in sociocybernetics: autopoiesis, or self-production. The chapters included in Part II concentrate on embodied cognition, on the applicability of autopoiesis to business firms, on its roots in Aristotelian philosophy, and on the possibility of societal control and steering in democratic societies. Part III, more focused on methodology, discusses the difficulties inherent in observing complex social systems. The chapters deal with the problems of cross-cultural comparative research, simulation of the evolution of social systems, longitudinal simulation of education systems, and the methodological difficulties associated with analyzing the unexpected complexities of mutually interacting nonlinear systems.
Author: Roberto Gustavo Mancilla Castro Publisher: BRILL ISBN: 9004441271 Category : Philosophy Languages : en Pages : 126
Book Description
In Sociocybernetics and Political Theory in a Complex World, Roberto Mancilla offers new takes on known ideas of political and constitutional theory; the advent of information technology and globalization puts them in crisis, as many stem from centuries past.
Author: John A. Busch Publisher: ISBN: Category : Computers Languages : en Pages : 312
Book Description
"...a very fine volume & a welcome contribution to the burgeoning literature on sociocybernetics."--Prof. Kenneth D. Bailey, University of California, Los Angeles. "...an excellent introduction to the kind of thinking that students need to master in order to grasp the complexity of our global society."--Prof. Michael Schwalbe, North Carolina State University. What leads so many of us to try & use magic bullets to solve our social & personal problems? How do we know that our way of thinking is correct? The sociocybernetic perspective provides a view of the world that can help us understand this increasing complexity & manage it in our personal & group life. SOCIOCYBERNETICS compares scientific approaches & other ways of understanding the material world noting the weaknesses in each. Sociocybernetics is the humanistic application of the principles of cybernetics to understanding people & human societies. It is the task of SOCIOCYBERNETICS to show the awesome power of perspective, introduce new ideas concerning the scientific understanding of the human condition & to make this introduction accessible to the average person. Anyone interested in the foundations of any of the social sciences or in a perspective permitting interdisciplinary general education will find this perspective invaluable.
Author: R.F. Geyer Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 1461340977 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 161
Book Description
The fifteen papers comprising this book were chosen out of the sixty-one contributions to the Symposium and Section on Social Systems held in the context of the Fourth International Congress of Cybernetics and Systems (Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 21-25 August, 1978). These papers, as sembled here on the basis of their topicality, depth and originality, cover a wide range of problems, ranging from 'Societies and Turing machines' to 'Dialectics and catastrophe'. An interesting array of themes is considered by authors from six countries. It is felt that these papers, some of them thought-provoking and of great merit, will cast new light on social problems. Though the contributions consider a wide variety of topics, the underlying trend is apparent in many instances. Of special value is the discussion of the relevance of cybernetics and systems to a wide spectrum of social problems. I think the treatment and the approach adopted by the contributors merit wide attention, since their contributions constitute an appreciable advance in a fairly novel field. 1. ROSE BLACKBURN (U.K.) May, 1978 Acknowledgements First of all, we want to thank the authors for their contributions to these volumes, often produced under severe time pressure. We are particularly indebted to publisher Hans van der Sluijs and desk editor Judy Marcure for their helpful cooperation in having both volumes edited and published on schedule.
Author: International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics Publisher: Windsor, Ont. : International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics ISBN: Category : Computers Languages : en Pages : 168
Author: Spyros G. Tzafestas Publisher: CRC Press ISBN: 1000793907 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 516
Book Description
Systems, cybernetics, control, and automation (SCCA)are four interrelated and overlapping scientific and technological fields that have contributed substantially to the development, growth, and progress of human society. A large number of models, methods, and tools were developed that assure high efficiency of SCCA applied to practical situations. The real-life applications of SCCA encompass a wide range of man-made or biological systems, including transportations, power generation, chemical industry, robotics, manufacturing, cybernetics organisms (cyborgs), aviation, economic systems, enterprise, systems, medical/health systems, environmental applications, and so on. The SCCA fields exhibit strong influences on society and rise, during their use and application, many ethical concerns and dilemmas. This book provides a consolidated and concise overview of SCCA, in a single volume for the first time, focusing on ontological, epistemological, social impact, ethical, and general philosophical issues. It is appropriate for use in engineering courses as a convenient tutorial source providing fundamental conceptual and educational material on these issues, or for independent reading by students and scientists.Included in the book is:• Background material on philosophy and systems theory• Major ontological, epistemological, societal and ethical/philosophical aspects of the four fields that are considered in the book• Over 400 references and a list of 130 additional books in the relevant fields • Over 100 colored photos and 70 line figures that illustrate the text
Author: Matt Dawson Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN: 1137337346 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 248
Book Description
This book traces a unique story of social theory: one which focuses on its role in offering ideas for alternative societies. In charting this story, Matt Dawson argues that the differences in alternatives offered by social theorists not only demonstrate the diversity in, and value of, sociological perspectives, but also emphasize competing ideas of the role of intellectuals in social change. The text discusses a collection of social theorists –from key figures such as Marx, Durkheim and Du Bois to less well known or now commonly overlooked writers such as Levitas, Lefebvre and Mannheim. It explains their use of the tools of sociology to critique society and provide visions for alternatives, highlighting elements of the intellectual backgrounds of movements such as socialism, anti-racism, feminism and cosmopolitanism. Social Theory for Alternative Societies not only explores in detail a variety of thinkers, but also reflects on the relevance of sociology today and on the connection between social theory and the 'real world.' Thus it will be of interest to students of sociology and those interested in ideas for a better society.
Author: E. W. Udo Küppers Publisher: Springer Nature ISBN: 3658421177 Category : Technology & Engineering Languages : en Pages : 253
Book Description
This introduction to the world of cybernetics provides the basics and discusses the most important thought leaders, models as well as theories. Practical examples from the fields of biology, ecology, technology, society, and politics are used to illustrate the theoretical material. Questions at the end of the chapters stimulate reflection, and the author does not owe the answers. A central theme in all cybernetic considerations and a guiding theme of the book are information exchange and communication.
Author: Bernard Scott Publisher: BRILL ISBN: 9004464492 Category : Social Science Languages : en Pages : 134
Book Description
Bernard Scott’s book explains the relevance of cybernetics for the social sciences. He provides a non-technical account of the history of cybernetics and its core concepts, with examples of applications of cybernetics in psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
Author: Rudolf F. Geyer
Author: Roberto Gustavo Mancilla Castro
Author: John A. Busch
Author: R.F. Geyer
Author: John A. Busch
Author: International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics
Author: Spyros G. Tzafestas
Author: Matt Dawson
Author: E. W. Udo Küppers
Author: Bernard Scott