The project of “general systemology” instigated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Abstract

Purpose -The paper aims to present the main perspectives and conclusions of a doctoral research in the history and philosophy of science conducted in France and Austria by the author on the project of "general systemology" (or "general system theory") instigated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Design/methodology/approach -A genealogical enquiry accounts for its scientific, philosophical and more generally cultural origins. Its genesis in Bertalanffy's works between 1926 and 1944 is explained. The process that led it to become a collective project is then discussed: the history of the Society for General Systems Research is considered, the ambivalence of its role with regard to general systemology being demonstrated. Finally, the unity of the diverse contributions to the latter's development is asserted in a framework put forward by the author in order to account for its structure and functions. Findings -While stating a comprehensive view of its history, the paper characterizes general systemology as the project of a general science of systemic interpretation of the "real" which remains topical, although it was never fully actualized. Originality/value -A new insight is thus provided on the scope and meaning of this hermeneutics: it meets the contemporary need for a better understanding of the foundations of systems research.

On the history of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “general systemology”, and on its relationship to cybernetics - Part II: Contexts and developments of the systemological hermeneutics instigated by von Bertalanffy

“…This approach has been enriched by considering the works of the other major systemologists: this helps to reconstruct their discussions with Bertalanffy, to clarify his conceptions, and to specify more precisely the structure and functioning of general systemology in comparison to the rough scheme that he provided in 1968. The outcome is what I term a "system of systemological hermeneutics", meant to make intelligible the meanings, aims and complementarity of all systemological works (Pouvreau 2013a(Pouvreau , 2013b(Pouvreau , 2013c.…”

On the history of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s “General Systemology”, and on its relationship to cybernetics – part III: convergences and divergences

“…The system concept has far-reaching roots in history (Pouvreau 2013a , 2013b ), but only in the twentieth century were many sophisticated models developed to meet the many different needs. Broadly speaking, the modern “systems” movement has three roots.…”

“…Norbert Wiener has pointed to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz as the “patron saint” of cybernetics, whose philosophy focused in particular on the concepts of universal symbolism and calculus of reasoning, and who was interested in “the construction of computing machines in the mental”, containing the germs of the reasoning machine (Wiener 1948a , 12). The German mathematician and philosopher also notably influenced Bertalanffy, although with respect to other issues than those pointed out by Wiener (Pouvreau and Drack 2007 , Pouvreau 2013a , 95–105, 297–302). The two projects (general systemology and cybernetics) also share younger precursors such as the proponents of Gestalt theory or Jean Piaget.…”

“…The personal context in which Bertalanffy developed GST has to be taken into account in this regard. Details are provided in Pouvreau ( 2013a , 670–674, 2014a , 175–179).…”

“…W. Ross Ashby, a key figure both in cybernetics and GST, served as the third president of the SGSR from 1962–1964 when Bertalanffy was still active. Also, later leading cyberneticists such as Stafford Beer or Heinz von Foerster served as presidents of the SGSR (Hammond 2003 , 250; Pouvreau 2013a , 825–852).…”