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It seems necessary to consider the functioning of biological systems on the basis of agonistic and antagonistic actions of a couple of elements. Here, the adrenal postpituitary system is considered. We show how such a view allowed us to give an account of diverse phenomena, noticeably the lack of response to Cortisol. It gave also rise to “paradoxical” therapies in the sense that both hormones had to be administered in case of an imbalance. A mathematical model helps one to become accustomed to these notions and, perhaps, is able to directly improve therapeutical strategies.

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When confronted with issues dealing with first and second order cybernetics, it seems that the manner of defining the former has been somewhat caricatured. The second appears to sometimes give rise to conclusions which are almost opposite to those of Wiener by questioning the possibility of a control for a system. We find in Wiener’s research a prefiguration of the autonomy concept, which, in our opinion, could bring an explanation – and a solution – in cases where control elicits some perverse effect; an acceptance of positive feedback if it serves a desired purpose; the central importance held for him by ergodic theory that we use in an addendum on imbalanced strange attractors control; the idea of a knowledge which may be the fruit of the control; an interest for logical paradoxes he put in relation to communication in nervous system; and already the notion of dialogue in the core of the relation man/man or man/machine. Of course, Wiener did not accord an equal development to all his insights, but we have not yet finished scrutinizing his writings. First and second order cybernetics perhaps form an agonistic/antagonistic couple of which neither element could overshadow the other.

No abstract