BCSSS

International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

2nd Edition, as published by Charles François 2004 Presented by the Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science Vienna for public access.

About

The International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics was first edited and published by the system scientist Charles François in 1997. The online version that is provided here was based on the 2nd edition in 2004. It was uploaded and gifted to the center by ASC president Michael Lissack in 2019; the BCSSS purchased the rights for the re-publication of this volume in 200?. In 2018, the original editor expressed his wish to pass on the stewardship over the maintenance and further development of the encyclopedia to the Bertalanffy Center. In the future, the BCSSS seeks to further develop the encyclopedia by open collaboration within the systems sciences. Until the center has found and been able to implement an adequate technical solution for this, the static website is made accessible for the benefit of public scholarship and education.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

ECOLOGY of KNOWLEDGE 1)3)

← Back

"The study of patterns of interrelationships among the various "species" (subsystems, sub-subsystems, etc.) and fields and subfields of knowledge with emphasis on:

a) preserving the condition of dynamic balance between the "species" and their environment; and b) optimizing the overall symbiotic fruits of synergistic interactions among them" (J.W. CLARK, 1972, p.168)

CLARK proposed a curriculum in "General ecology of knowledge" divided as follows in five sections, including among other subjects:

A. Systems Education Studies

Systems approaches;… simulation;… systems management;… game theory;… forecasting methods and operations research.

B. Basic Integrated Studies

General cybernetics;… eco-cybernetics;… meta-tools;… meta-skills;… metalanguages;… general ecology of knowledge

C. Global Design Heuristics

Heuristic forecasting;.. synergetics;… synectics;… pattern recognition…

D. Heuristic Meta-Policy Studies

The anatomy of meta-policy;… the anatomy of change;… Psychology of mass movements;… systems of signals and incentives;… games for global involvement;… the dynamics of feedback and reinforcement…

E. Meta-Policy Sciences

Behavioral sciences and general systems perspectives;… designing and evaluating alternative futures;… integrative workshops

For the discussed complete program, see reference (p.165-180).

This proposal, made in 1972, does not seem to have been seriously debated and, still less, applied anywhere. The institution of interfaculties programs of this type would possibly be the only way to seriously expand the systemic approach and methods.

Categories

  • 1) General information
  • 2) Methodology or model
  • 3) Epistemology, ontology and semantics
  • 4) Human sciences
  • 5) Discipline oriented

Publisher

Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science(2020).

To cite this page, please use the following information:

Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (2020). Title of the entry. In Charles François (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics (2). Retrieved from www.systemspedia.org/[full/url]

We thank the following partners for making the open access of this volume possible:

© 2020 BCSSS Contact/Imprint