Современный взгляд на самореферентные системы. Кибернетика второго порядка

Abstract

Considering the current state of system theory, the theory of self-organization and autopoiesis, we come to the conclusion that, first of all, we must identify what would determine the essence of cybernetics for us. Among the reasons why it is difficult to reveal the essence of cybernetics is the presence of numerous di­rections of this system theory, which are mutually overlapping. Despite the fact that due to this breadth the active development of cybernetics is ensured, it also causes the lack of certainty. Such a lack of certainty in some cases is perceived as inconsistency. The analysis mentioned in this article is not focused on stream­lining the categories, concepts related to cybernetics. It seems necessary only to present the key features inherent in the cybernetic approach. Nor can we bypass what is usually called cybernetics 2.0, second-order cybernetics, or cybernetics of self-referential or self-observing systems. The emergence of second-order cy­bernetics is associated with the interpretation of the system and its environment in relation to an infinite sequence of discrimination processes carried out by the observer. The observation of events that occur in the field of observation is referred to as first-order observation. In the case of second-order observation, the observer does not see what he does not see. This observation is an observa­tion of an observation. In the works of Heinz von Förster, we see that as a re­sponse to the negative assessment by humanists of the main object of cybernetic research – the machine – he distinguishes two types of machines: machines that are trivial, and machines that are not among them, that is, non-trivial. And it is the study of non-trivial machines that constitutes the content of self-referential cybernetics.