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

Heteropoiesis

Definition
Charactericstic of a system or artefact designed by men, with some purpose. (IESC)

They are not self-reproducing, neither as a whole, nor as to their components. Machines in general are heteropoietic. (IESC)

the space of human design. (Maturana and Varela, 1979) (PC, EA)

… they are not autopoietic. (EA)

Relations:

autopoiesis
hierarcical system
outside controlled

 

Definitions:

Principia Cybernetica
Encyclopedia Autopoietica
International Encyclopedia of Systems & Cybernetics

 

Principia Cybernetica (web)
the space of human design. (Maturana and Varela, 1979)

 

Encyclopedia Autopoietica
"The space of human design." (Maturana & Varela, 1980, p. 136). This term is applied to denote those processes that produce something other than themselves and which are directed at or by a pre-specified purpose (teleology; teleonomy). Because such processes (a) generate something other than their own constituent components and (b) are defined with respect to an extrinsic teleology (not connected with the maintenance of the acting system's organization), they are not autopoietic.

Cf. allopoiesis, autopoiesis, purpose, teleology, teleonomy

 

International Encyclopedia of Systems & Cybernetics
HETEROPOIETIC

Charactericstic of a system or artefact designed by men, with some purpose.

Heteropoietic systems have an algoritmic character, or in other words, they have a very limited autonomy, or none at all.

In particular, they are unable to maintain themselves or to modify spontaneously their activity. They need to be activated, steered and controled from outside.

They are not self-reproducing, neither as a whole, nor as to their components. Machines in general are heteropoietic.