Control systems and teleological systems

Abstract

A cybernetic systems framework is constructed within which a distinction between teleological, i.e., purposive, and nonteleological systems is drawn on empirical grounds. The following provide conjunctively sufficient and disjunctively necessary tests of the teleological: (1) applicability of cybernetic specification; (2) perturbation test; and (3) independent testability of component relations. This analysis avoids the problem of pinpointing the defining characteristics of the teleological and at least provides the groundwork for a complete analysis of purposive behavior. Teleological systems are found to cut across a broad array of system types, including living and nonliving machine systems, regulatory and servosystems, as well as various system levels ranging from intracellular to organizalional. Finally, a cybernetic systems framework is claimed to be adequate for teleological phenomena in that it is capable of accounting for human purposive behavior.