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Niklas Luhmann's
Theory Of Social Systems -
An Introduction
[1] - Systems
Is this stuff relevant?
A good theory explains all perceived phenomena
It stipulates a radically different way of thinking
It reflects "reality" in its labyrintic, connected approach and acknowledges society's complexity
In the end it may help to get to the bottom of things
Before we begin
The systems way of thinking is rather uncommon, so be patient with yourself
These are just ideas/thoughts, take what resonates
Systems theory does not give practical implementation tips, it's up to you to make something out of it
Though I am rather fond of this stuff, I know there's much more and nothing is better or lesser, as long at it "works"
Niklas Luhmann
Born in 1927 in northern Germany
Worked in public administration for several years
1966 Harvard, Talcott Parsons' "The social system", "Toward a General Theory of Action"
Influnced by Humberto Maturana ("autopoesis") and George Spencer-Brown ("Laws of form")
1968 profesor at Bielefeld University. "Topic: Theory of society; lifespan: 30 years; costs: none."
Part [1]: Systems
Types of systems I: Psychic systems
They are observed as a context of actualized and potential thoughts.
Psychic systems think.
The mental system is an operationally closed and cognitively open autopoietic system.
The elements of the mental system are thought.
Psychic systems cannot be observed from the outside.
Two or more psychic systems can form a social system.
Types of systems II: Social systems
Social systems communicate.
A social system is, like a psychic system, an operationally closed and cognitively open autopoietic system.
Social systems are autopoetic, self-referential systems, they define themselves by the difference of System/environment.
Three types of social systems
Organizations: roles and rules apply
Society: includes all communication, enables all other social system, reduces complexity
Interactions: need physical presence of a communication partner, communication in the context of binary code
Properties of systems I
Axiom: There are systems ;-)
Systems (re)produce themselves through autopoesis.
Systems differentiate themselves (from the environment).
A system is considered to be everything to which the distinction of an inside (system) specified from within the system and a specified outside (environment) is applicable.
Properties of systems II
Systems maintain themselves in resistance to their environment: systems are environmentally adapted.
Systems reproduce themselves from moment to moment: systems operate temporally.
Systems enable themselves through the operations by which they enable themselves: systems operate self-referentially.
Properties of systems III
No system can operate outside of itself.
Compared to its environment comlexity is reduced in a system.
Systems are always unstable. They get irritated by its environment and likewise irritate its environments, thusly perpetually redefining its borders.
Advantages of thinking in systems
No bother with psychic systems ;-).
Social systems consist of communication, not of humans/psychic systems.
Differences are key to differentiating systems.
Just two possibilities for evolution: perpetuate (through autopoesis/communication) or cease to exist.
Thank you and think systems!
stefan@strukturmeister.de
Sytems Theory: [1] Systems
By stefan
