The Beginnings of Second-Order Cybernetics

Abstract

The article discusses the emergence of second-order cybernetics based on work in experimental epistemology and the study of the nervous system, as well as the emergence of a new understanding of the cognitive process. Studies have shown that it is necessary to include a scientist-observer in the descrip­tion of a system, since his or her specific characteristics and subjective world­view can influence the result of observation. The authors give examples of neurophysiological experiments that served as the basis for the conclusion that knowledge is a biological phenomenon, that each individual constructs his own “reality”, which is consistent with the world of sensory experience, but is not identical to it. There are two ways of understanding cybernetics of higher orders. The first approach emphasizes that higher orders of cybernetics can be based on the introduction of additional dimensions (for example, second-order cybernetics relies on neurophysiology, third-order cybernetics takes into ac­count data from sociology and political science, fourth-order cybernetics uses data related to the environment and social responsibility). The second ap­proach is based on the opinion that there is no need for cybernetics of higher orders beyond second order cybernetics, since the observer himself can deter­mine any system of interest to him (for example, a group within an organiza­tion, a society or the environment) and create any number of additional de­scriptions (H. von Förster). The authors of the article come to the conclusion that second-order cybernetics offers a higher conceptual level, drawing atten­tion to the scientist (observer). Second order cybernetics leads to second order science. It points to a suitable epistemology for an information society. The in­clusion of the scientist (observer) in observations changes the epistemological foundation of science.