CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEM CONCEPTS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES

Abstract

The aims of cybernetics and of system research are shown to embody a strong bias towards biological studies. Cybernetics subsumes the ideas of “experimental epistemology”, a study which attempts to explain mental processes over the whole range of viewpoints from the single‐cell recordings of the neurophysiologist to concept‐formation and representation of knowledge. Studies which are more restricted in scope have been of practical value; “experimental epistemology” is a long way from achieving its goal. It has, however, provided useful stimulation and has an interesting bearing on viable systems other than nervous systems.