Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| System theory: System theory is an interdisciplinary framework that studies the interactions and relationships between components within a complex whole. It examines how parts work together, aiming to understand the behavior, structure, and dynamics of various systems in nature, society, and organizations. See also Systems, N. Luhmann, T. Parsons, Environment, Encoding, Double Contingency, Communication Media, Structural coupling._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Joseph Weizenbaum on System Theory - Dictionary of Arguments
I 322 System theory/Forrester/Weizenbaum: J. W. Forrester from MIT, the spiritual father of "cybernetic system theory", noted in front of a US Congress Committee (J. W. Forrester(1)): Thesis: the human thinking is not suitable to explain the behavior of social systems. >Cybernetics, >Behavior, >Explanation. WeizenbaumVsForrester: he claims that the way Plato, Spinoza, Hume, Mill, Gandi and many others have thought about social systems is inferior to the system analysis method. According to Forrester, the problem is that human thinking is based on thought models. Forrester: a model of thought is unclear. It is incomplete. It is inaccurately worded. In addition, a thought model in an individual changes with time and even in the course of a talk ... The goals are different and remain unspoken. I 324 Forrester/Weizenbaum: claims that computer systems, in contrast to social systems, eliminate insecurity completely. But there are some behaviors that are "more desirable" than others. How are they made possible? Forrester: they are probably only possible if we have a proper understanding of the theory of dynamic systems and are prepared to submit to self-discipline and endure the constraints that must accompany the desired behaviour. WeizenbaumVsForrester/WeizenbaumVsSkinner/WeizenbaumVsSimon: in the context in which Forrester uses the expressions "system" and "dynamic", the only way to gain an understanding that alone leads to "desirable behaviours" is the method of a "scientific analysis" according to Forrester (or Skinner or the >General Problem Solver, >A. >Newell, >H. A. Simon, >Behaviorism. I 325 WeizenbaumVsForrester: For Forrester, the world literally consists of back coupling loops. I 327 Meaning/System Theory/WeizenbaumVsForrester: the systems we have investigated, have been clearly shown that meaning has been completely transformed into function. >Behavior, >Society, >Actions, cf. >Anomalous monism. 1. J. W. Forrester Testimony before the Subcommitee on Urban Growth oft he Committe on Banking and Currency oft he United states House of representatives, given in Washington, D.C., Oct. 7, 1971, 91. Congress, 2nd Session, Part III, p 205-265._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Weizenbaum I Joseph Weizenbaum Computer Power and Human Reason. From Judgment to Calculation, W. H. Freeman & Comp. 1976 German Edition: Die Macht der Computer und die Ohnmacht der Vernunft Frankfurt/M. 1978 |
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> Counter arguments against Weizenbaum
> Counter arguments in relation to System Theory
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-27