I appreciate Wikipedia. The definition of autopoiesis, the examples and explanations that followed were helpful in breaking it down. I'm slightly challenged scientifically, and so, my question is: how does this relate to cybernetics?
The definition of which I looked up, read on:
"
cy·ber·net·ics 
/ˌsaɪbərˈnɛtɪks/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sahy-ber-net-iks] ) the study of human control functions and of mechanical and electronic systems designed to replace them, involving the application of statistical mechanics to communication engineering.
Any thoughts?
1 comment:
to be blunt, that's a poor definition of cybernetics. cybernetics is focused on systems that have goals, and that use feedback to achieve them. in its 'second-order' form, cybernetics encompasses language and the subjective construction of reality. there are many incomplete or distorting 'definitions' of cybernetics on the web. if you find explanations that start from the Macy Meetings, or Heinz von Foerster, i think the concept would become more clear.
autopoiesis comes from biology, as an explanation of living systems. Maturana and Varela and Uribe developed the concept with full understanding of cybernetics. Gordon Pask uses a similar concept he called 'organizational closure' to describe the nature of cognitive systems and their evolution. autopoetic systems create their own boundaries via the construction of themselves; so do concepts in a mental repertoire. perhaps Ranulph Glanville says more about the connection between cybernetics and autopoiesis.
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