Showing papers in "Kybernetes in 1984"

The third position—beyond artificial and autopoietic reduction

Abstract: The meaning of cybernetics of sociocultural systems is discussed in terms of two rival traditions. Both are reductionistic with respect to cognitive interaction: One seeks a reduction to (A) the Artificial Gestalt of symbolic representations; the other to (B) the Biological Gestalt of cellular reproduction. Cultural Gestalt‐switches and other irreducible properties, such as intersubjectivity and capacity for consciousness, call for a third position in terms of (D) Dialogue and Dualities, which comprises and transcends the complementarity of (A) and (B). Conditions are indicated for shifts between modes conforming to both, and for the prevalence and resolution of model monopoly. Examples are given from small group studies and socioeconomic planning in Norway.

On different classes of linguistic variables defined via fuzzy subsets

Abstract: We introduce three different classes of linguistic variables. Each of these classes can assume values defined via a fuzzy subset.

Comparison between fuzzy information systems

Abstract: When we consider a decision problem under randomness and fuzziness, and several fuzzy information systems obtain, a comparison between them becomes interesting. In this paper, it is proposed to compare fuzzy information systems paying attention to the maximization of the “worth of fuzzy information system”.

A simulation study on the chemoton

Abstract: In this paper properties and dynamical behaviour of a theoretical biological model, the chemoton are discussed. The chemoton features the general, common properties of the unicellular living beings. Since the reaction‐kinetical function of the chemoton is governed by a set of nonlinear differential equations, the study of its dynamical behaviour required computer simulation. This was carried out by using CSMP programs. The results proved that the model is capable of stable functioning, growing and multiplication.

Cybernetics in an evolving social system

Abstract: Human societies can be conceptualized as natural systems satisfying four basic system criteria: Ordered wholeness; negative feedback deviation‐reducing capability; positive feedback deviation‐amplifying, self‐evolving capacity; and dual‐structural adaptation to sub‐ as well as suprasystems. While societies are obviously governable in stable, relatively organized situations, whether in totalitarian or fully participatory ways, it is concluded they are also governable during “crucial epochs” that are characterized by unstable, provisionally disorganized and unpredictable states—although different modes of governance prevail during these periods of rapid self‐evolution, when control is exercised by rapidly shifting and selectively amplifying peripheral movements. Analysis of the forms of transition governance during crucial epochs in self‐evolving social systems is important for suppressing totalitarian trends and consciously amplifying humanistic peripheral movements.

Variety, information and feedback

Abstract: We discuss the problem of the classification of continuous‐amplitude stochastic signals by their variety. It is shown in this context that continuous Gaussian processes must be characterized by three parameters which are intimately related to the ability of the process to carry information. Finally, conservation laws for the variety of stochastic signals under feedback are given, and the relation of variance and variety is discussed.

Physical record clustering in databases

Abstract: The NP‐complete problem of optimally placing tuples on a hierarchy of secondary storage devices is considered using a heuristic approach. From load specification details captured at database design time, those tuples associated with queries which merit tailored, “set‐in‐concrete”, physical access paths are placed using a two‐level graph partitioning algorithm. Experiments are reported with the pages and cylinders as the two hierarchical levels of storage for a centralised database, but the technique is applicable to an n‐Ievel storage hierarchy—as up to the “different sites” level for distributed databases. The results show up to 39% improvement over single‐level partitioning algorithms for the database considered.

A model of decision‐making in a fuzzy environment

Abstract: The paper deals with a model of decision‐making given in a form of a fuzzy relational equation with relationships between imprecisely defined goals and constraints modelled by means of a fuzzy relation. The usefulness of the model and its novelty is clearly pointed out. Some basic problems concerned, e.g. with a construction of the relation of the model and ordering of goals and constraints with respect to their importance (viz. their influence on a fuzzy decision), are also discussed in a detailed manner.

Simple models, catastrophes and cycles

Abstract: It is often observed in practice that the essential behavior of mathematical models involving many variables can be captured by a much smaller model involving only a few variables. Further, the simpler model very often displays oscillatory behavior of some sort, especially when critical problem parameters are varied in certain ranges. This paper attempts to supply arguments from the theory of dynamical systems for why oscillatory behavior is so frequently observed and to show how such behavior emerges as a natural consequence of focusing attention upon so‐called “essential” variables in the process of model simplification. The relationship of model simplification and oscillatory behavior is shown to be inextricably intertwined with the problems of bifurcation and catastrophe in that the oscillations emerge when critical system parameters, i.e. those retained in the simple model, pass through critical regions. The importance of the simplification, oscillation and bifurcation pattern is demonstrated here by consideration of several examples from the environmental, economic and urban areas.

Generalized principle of optimality in pansystems network analysis

Abstract: The optimization of a panweight network is studied. A generalized concept summary of optimality is established, which unifies various related principles. This may be viewed as a sort of complement and extension of Bellman's work. Some of its applications in dynamic programming are discussed. A sufficient condition and three necessary conditions are given under which Bellman's principle holds.

On the best way of designating objects in sentence generation

Abstract: This paper deals with a problem encountered in natural language generation which seems to have been largely ignored in the literature, that of generating non‐ambiguous (i.e. discriminating) designations of objects in a given context, from a knowledge basis, which associates the properties and relations, concerning the objects present in the environment, with their respective formal labels. A search algorithm of type A is proposed, which always generates a discriminating designation when such a designation exists in terms of the available knowledge; for the evaluation the algorithm uses a subjective length function which takes into account the “intelligibility” of the designation. This work takes place in the SYROCO system, a dialogue interface for limited domains of discourse; the sentence interpretation as well as the sentence generation in SYROCO are briefly presented in the first part of this paper.

Heuristic approach to chinese‐character search

Abstract: The paper deals with a heuristic approach to a Chinese‐writing character search. Due to the small masks of the Chinese words being used in the approach, the database of the masks are compressed. Heuristic information, which is the summation of the values of elements of the mask, has been used in the searching process. It simplifies the approach and accelerates the search. By means of a FFT or FWT (Walsh Transformation) algorithm, a word may be mapped into its image form, which is a two‐dimensional array in a frequency domain; then a small mask is extracted.

The contribution of cybernetics to the science of psychopathology

Abstract: The interest of the pioneers of cybernetics in psychopathology is illustrated. Examples are given of the application of cybernetics to psychopathology, from Wiener onwards. It is argued that cybernetics raises the possibility of a laboratory science of psychopathology. The computer modelling of psychopathological processes is examined, as is the relevance of channel capacity. Some cybernetic approaches to psychosis are reviewed. It is argued that cybernetics provides potential alternative diagnostic methods, based not on static diagnostic entities but on process, and suggests science‐based treatment possibilities.

Mental health service delivery systems in the united states

Abstract: The U.S. mental health service delivery system consists of a broad array of inpatient and ambulatory services operated under governmental, corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial auspices. Granted this complex mixture of control patterns, a primary question to be addressed by this paper is the degree to which this set of services can be conceptualized as a system at any level of social organization beyond a single control point for a subset of services. This paper will also explore the utility of systems formulations, including cybernetic processes, for addressing the question of whether mental health services can be controlled and directed to such a degree that they act in concert across different control points. Reference will be made to exogenous systems, such as public and private reimbursement programs, that may influence control processes. Some directions for future research will also be explored.

Organizational equilibrium under uncertainty

Abstract: Organizational equilibrium theory is a theory of an inducements‐contributions balance within organizations; i.e. it ultimately aims to find conditions for organizational survival. Based on the Simon‐Smithburg‐Thompson postulates for the organizational equilibrium theory, an organizational equilibrium model under uncertainty is constructed. Using a multiple objective satisficing problem formulation, the survival conditions (i.e. existence conditions of viable solutions) are studied. The existence of uniformly better solutions than a given viable solution is also shown. Then, a unique solution (i.e. viable Pareto solution) is defined, and a problem whose solutions are viable Pareto solutions is specified. Finally, several organizational factors involved with the organizational equilibrium concept are discussed.

The sociocybernetic paradox: a short introduction

Abstract: The rapidly increasing complexity of modern society has given rise to a host of societal crises and problems. Efforts to solve such problems have, more often than not, demonstrated the non‐governability of the social processes concerned: Inflation, the arms race, etc. Cybernetics and GST have recently claimed that they can contribute to the analysis and solution of large‐scale social problems—as demonstrated by the often ambitious themes of conferences in these fields. In the following, “social cybernetics” is the general term that will be used for applications of general systems theory and cybernetics to the analysis of social processes, problems and structures. One should, however, realize that these applications have, over the past decade, had a feedback effect on GST and cybernetics themselves, and have caused the emergence of what is now often called the new cybernetics. “Sociocybernetics” is the term that will be specifically reserved for the applications of this new cybernetics to the above mention...

Multiple‐objective satisficing decision problems

Abstract: For decision‐makers, the cognitive limit is one of the most critical factors which determine the quality of decisions, when they do not have enough information about their decision environment, and when they must strike a balance between conflicting objectives within a time limit. In such a situation, their decision‐making is often characterized by satisficing behaviors with multiple objectives under uncertainty. This paper aims to formulate a multiple‐objective satisficing problem and to study its fundamental properties, such as (1) existence of collectively satisficing solutions, (2) relationship among collectively satisficing solutions, Pareto satisficing solutions, weak Pareto satisficing solutions and max‐min solutions, and (3) characterization of Pareto satisficing solutions and of weak Pareto satisficing solutions.

Family and social systems: a cybernetic approach

Abstract: A systems approach to the family as a self‐regulating, goal‐directed system is developed. It is viewed in terms of socio‐legal boundaries delimiting certain role relationships and interactional patterns or action‐strategies, which are regulated by a hierarchy of steering principles and meta‐principles. Steering principles include adaptation, self‐regulation, control of interaction and morphogenesis, while meta‐principles include values, identity and meaning. The applicability of systems theory to family policy is discussed; its predictive possibilities should not be used to control, but to facilitate morphogenesis.

Sociocybernetics as the science of self‐steering human action

Abstract: The nature of sociocybernetics as a foundational science of human action, and some of the basic results in this line of research, and their consequences as to the governability, planning and control of social systems are discussed.

Can social change be supported by inquiry

Abstract: It is proposed to see society as epiphenomenal to a process, the political process. Various actors contribute, with different aims, resources, constraints—and usually without control over the overall effect of their contributions. Organized research is one of the actors. The question is what type of organizational or paradigmatic design will empower the research actor to direct social change in a direction with improvements for many or all other actors. The control paradigm turns out not to be helpful for research to become a strong actor in this respect. A paradigm able to become more supportive is described.

Limits to societal self‐steering: lessons from an actor‐oriented systems approach to inflation in the united kingdom and switzerland

Abstract: The actor‐oriented systems approach, developed by the author and others, is applied to a comparative analysis of inflation and anti‐inflationary policies in Great Britain and Switzerland. Inflation is viewed as a systemic phenomenon, the result of a structure of linked decision settings. The devaluation‐inflation loop characterizing the British situation is then compared with the revaluation‐low inflation loop occurring in the Swiss case, while criticism is directed at the prevailing economic models which do not allow adequate forecasts because they do not incorporate self‐steering human actors.

Combinatory spaces—an approach to pattern analysis

Abstract: In a static memory a crude representation of a field of stimuli can be based on the evaluation of the total occurrence of single stimuli, their pairs, triples, etc., respectively. This leads to the concept of combinatory spaces of various orders and their sequences, with generalized pseudometrics or metrics. This concept may be of relevance in the fields of general systems and artificial intelligence.

Preprocessing and societal control: neglected component of sociocybernetics

Abstract: Recent doubts about whether social systems can be controlled in a cybernetic sense depend upon a view of cybernetics that overemphasizes communication, information processing and feedback at the expense of what computer scientists call preprocessing: the conscious selection and structuring of information to facilitate its processing. Much as rationalization was a complement to bureaucratic control in Max Weber's time, the preprocessing of information, prior to its processing by computer, serves societal control today. Indeed, phenomena like rationalization and symbolization can be viewed as forms of preprocessing; they facilitate the crucial control function of self‐referencing. US census data show a monotonic increase in the percentage of the work force engaged in preprocessing relative to the other informational activities: synthesizing, programming and processing.

Modelization of skeletal muscular contraction; numerical applications in rigor mortis and in magnesium‐calcium metabolism

Abstract: The numerical use of a general model of skeletal muscular contraction allows one to study some physiological phenomena. Rigor mortis is explained in terms of the ATP metabolism and is clearly distinguished from muscular fatigue. Dysfunctions of the muscular magnesium‐calcium metabolism are simulated after showing the existence of magnesium‐calcium regulation.