Cybernetics & Human Knowing - Thesaurus pilot project
Edited by M&T Thellefsen

Cybernetic System

Definition
R. VALLEE describes cybernetic systems as follows: "They are dynamical systems that possess input, state and output, and consequently an evolution equation. Such a system is cybernetic if it is possible to distinguish an observational sequence (of the inputs), followed by a decisional sequence leading to the effectors organs (related to outputs), being well understood that the observational sequence allows the system to observe its environment and itself

Relations:

 

feedback
information
languaging
organization
structural coupling
system

 

Definitions:


International Encyclopedia of Systems & Cybernetics

 
Principia Cybernetica (web)
See system
Encyclopedia Autopoietica
See system
International Encyclopedia of Systems & Cybernetics
No system can persit if not "cybernetic", i.e. containing feedbacks, regulations and controls (N.WIENER), being endowed with variety (W.R. ASHBY), being autopoietic (H. MATURANA and F. VARELA), and in autonomous relations with its environment or suprasystem (P. VENDYES, J. van GIGCH).

R. VALLEE describes cybernetic systems as follows: "They are dynamical systems that possess input, state and output, and consequently an evolution equation. Such a system is cybernetic if it is possible to distinguish an observational sequence (of the inputs), followed by a decisional sequence leading to the effectors organs (related to outputs), being well understood that the observational sequence allows the system to observe its environment and itself. In this way a basic feedback loop is instaured which calls upon various communication modes (transmission of perceptions and decisions) which justifies the cybernetic qualification" (1995, p. 26).

It ensues from this description that cybernetic systems are co-evolving with their environment (p. 89-90).

VALLEE uses this understanding to construct his "epistemo-praxeology".

Another interesting description is E. LASZLO’s according to whom the general characteristics that cybernetics system exhibit are:

"1 - Goal parameters set in a control center

"2 - Sensing mechanisms whereby information relevant to the system’s goals is registered in the syste.

"3 - Effector mechanisms whereby the system acts on its environment.

"4 - Tranformation rules or procedures whereby information received from the sensors is compared with information about the goal-states and an error-correcting signal is produced to modify the behavior or the effectors".

LASZLO adds: "The function of correcting for deviation from the paths of goal-attainment is that of the central regulator. It must contain a long term memory which stores the system’s norms, i.e. the goal-conditions, which the system pursues by means of its deviation-reducting behavior" (1974, p. 186).

LASZLO understands that these characteristics are proper to living organisms and sociopolitical systems as well as artificial control systems. They are probably inherent to anything that could be somehow described as a system: the sun, our planet, an ecosystem.