Evolution of cybernetics: philosophical and methodological analysis

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this paper is to elaborate the connection between the evolution of cybernetics and the development of scientific rationality (classical, non-classical, post-non-classical) and to emphasize the relevance of the formation of post-non-classical cybernetics for self-developing reflexive-active environment (the third-order cybernetics). Design/methodology/approach This paper includes interdisciplinary analysis of the evolution of cybernetics and possible directions of its development. Findings A connection between the types of scientific rationality (classical, non-classical and post-non-classical) and the stages of the development cybernetics is presented. Classical rationality is first-order cybernetics dealing with observed systems (an external observer). Non-classical rationality is second-order cybernetics dealing with observing systems (built-in observer). Post-non-classical rationality is third-order cybernetics dealing with the self-developing reflexive-active environment (distributed observer). Research limitations/implications This is an initial theoretical conceptualization, which needs a broader assessment and case studies. Practical implications This proposed direction for the analysis of cybernetics opens new approaches to social control on the basis of the subject-focused models and integration of traditional cybernetic tools. Social implications Third-order cybernetics will promote the development of civil society. Direct democracy receives new tools for development. Originality/value The value of this research is in the interdisciplinary analysis of the cybernetics evolution and in new possible directions for its development.

Demand Control Management in Microgrids: The Impact of Different Policies and Communication Network Topologies

“…This approach is philosophically inspired by the Rus-sian/Soviet tradition of reflexive systems and control [26]. Such a perspective in their current version has two fundamental aspects captured by our model: the importance of the information layer as the filter of the physical reality, and the reflexive effects of agents and contexts that they take their decisions.…”

Mission of Russia on space of big Eurasia

“…Интегратором научного обеспечения может выступить создаваемая в настоящее время постнеклассическая кибернетика саморазвивающихся полисубъектных сред. Это социогуманитарная кибернетика третьего порядка, создаваемая в логике восхождения от кибернетики «наблюдаемых систем» (первого порядка -Н. Винер) -классической научной рациональности, к кибернетике «наблюдающих систем» (второго порядка -Фон Ферстер) -неклассической научной рациональности -и далее к социогуманитарной кибернетике «саморазвивающихся рефлексивно-активных сред» (третьего порядка) -постнеклассической научной рациональности [7]. Уточнение сходства и различия философских оснований видения кибернетики будущего на Западе и в России было проведено на мировом конгрессе WOSC2017 в январе 2017 г. в Риме и на XI Международном симпозиуме «Рефлексивные процессы и управление» в октябре 2017 г. в Москве.…”

Reflexive Self-Organizing Decision Support Systems for Development Governance

“…In control three interrelated types of activity of subjects are represented: activity, communicative and reflexive [5,6]. To understand the specifics of their actualization in control and mechanisms of interaction, it is necessary to consider the philosophical and methodological foundations of ideas about control in the context of the development of scientific rationality.…”

“…Self-developing systems are in the center of attention of post-nonclassical scientific rationality [4]. The paradigm "subjectselfdeveloping reflexive-active system (environment)" [10] becomes a key paradigm of control and cybernetics [6]. A self-developing reflexive-active environment is a metasubject, which possesses invariant similar to the properties of subjects: purposefulness (activity), reflexivity, communicativeness, sociality, ability to develop, etc.…”

“…The mechanism of targeting a "specific subject", selfregulation of reflective activity, taking into account the models of specific subjects. In all the mechanisms examined, the "double subject" principle is used [1,6,10].…”