The Law of Requisite Variety

Abstract

Two important questions are taken up here. First, what is the link between learning to make distinctions and achieving control? Establishing the link between learning and control is illustrated in terms of a game between an entity and its environment. Second, what is the maximum amount of control that can be achieved for some given amount of learning? The “law of requisite variety,” answers the second question. Theories can be built around “the law of requisite variety” because it specifies the boundary conditions of a stressed communication/control system.