Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Design rules for complex goal‐orientated systems

Abstract

AbstractFeedback systems have often been considered as relevant for an understanding of the brain. But obviously most biological systems have a much more complicated structure. Surprisingly the functional and structural necessities determining the route from simple feedback systems to complex goal‐orientated systems like the brain have never been investigated. Therefore this paper studies systematically the possibilities for adding functional elements like sensors, memory, effectors etc. to a feedback system. Then it investigates which combinations of functional elements are necessary to get to working goal‐orientated systems. Based on that necessities and options of data organization and the resulting cognitive possibilities are analysed. This abstract analysis delivers design rules for complex—technical and biological—goal‐orientated systems and basic epistemological facts how additional functional elements can add to their cognitive abilities. Finally, a ‘design for a simple brain’ illustrates the application of these design rules. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.