The Circular Conditions of Second-order Science Sporadically Illustrated with Agent-based Experiments at the Roots of Observation
Manfred Füllsack
Log in to download the full text for free
> Citation
> Similar
> References
> Add Comment
Abstract
Problem: The inclusion of the observer into scientific observation entails a vicious circle of having to observe the observer as dependent on observation. Second-order science has to clarify how its underlying circularity can be scientifically conceived. Method: Essayistic and conceptual analysis, sporadically illustrated with agent-based experiments. Results: Second-order science – implying science in general – is fundamentally and ineluctably circular. Implications: The circularity of second-order science asks for analytical methods able to cope with phenomena of complex causation and “synchronous asynchrony,” such as tools for analyzing non-linearly interacting dynamics, decentralized, clustered networks and in general, systems of complex interacting components.
Key words: Observer dependency, second-order science, complexity, information, intentionality
Citation
Füllsack M. (2014) The circular conditions of second-order science sporadically illustrated with agent-based experiments at the roots of observation. Constructivist Foundations 10(1): 46–54. http://constructivist.info/10/1/046
Export article citation data:
Plain Text ·
BibTex ·
EndNote ·
Reference Manager (RIS)
Similar articles
References
Bedau M. A. (2008) Is weak emergence just in the mind? Minds & Machines 18: 443–459.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Bongard J., Zykov V. & Lipson H. (2006) Resilient machines through continuous self-modeling. Science 314: 1118–1121.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Braginsky V. B. & Khalili F. Y. (1992) Quantum measurement. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge MA.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Cohen M. D., March J. G. & Olsen J. P. (1972) A garbage can model of organizational choice. Administrative Science Quarterly 17: 1–25.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Crutchfield J. P. (1994) Is anything ever new? Considering emergence. In: Cowan G., Pines D. & Melzner D. (eds.) Integrative themes. Addison-Wesley, Reading: 479–497.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Crutchfield J. P. (1994) The calculi of emergence. Computation, dynamics, and induction. Physica D 75: 11–54. Also available as working paper 94–03–016 of the Santa Fe Institute SFI at http://www.santafe.edu/media/workingpapers/94–03–016.pdf
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
de Man P. (1979) Allegories of reading. Figural language in Rousseau, Nietzsche, Rilke, and Proust. New Haven.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Deacon T. W. (2012) Incomplete nature: How mind emerged from matter. W. W. Norton, New York.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Ene P. (2013) Descriptions as distinctions. George Spencer Brown’s calculus of indications as a basis for Mitterer’s Non-dualistic Descriptions. Constructivist Foundations 8(2): 202–208. Available at http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/8/2/202.ene
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Foerster H. von (1976) Objects: Tokens for (eigen-)behaviors. ASC Cybernetics Forum 8(3–4): 91–96. Reprinted in: Foerster H. von (2003) Understanding understanding: Essays on cybernetics and cognition. Springer, New York: 261–271.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Foerster H. von (1993) Über das Konstruieren von Wirklichkeiten. In: Foerster H. von, Wissen und Gewissen. Versuch einer Brücke. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt am Main: 25–49. English original: Foerster H. von (1973) On constructing a reality. In: Preiser W. F. E. (ed.) Environmental design research, Volume 2. Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Stroudberg: 35–46.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Foerster H. von (2003) Cybernetics of cybernetics. In: Foerster H. von, Understanding understanding. Springer, New York: 283–286. Originally published in 1979.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Foerster H. von (2003) Disorder/order: Discovery or invention? In: Foerster H. von, Understanding understanding. Springer, New York: 273–282. Originally published in 1984.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Foerster H. von (2003) On self-organizing systems and their environments. In: Foerster H. von, Understanding understanding. Springer, New York: 1–19. Originally published in 1960.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Füllsack M. (2013) Constructivism and computation. Can computer-based modeling add to the case of constructivism? Constructivist Foundation 9(1): 7–16. Available at http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/9/1/007.fuellsack
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Georgescu-Roegen N. (1971) The entropy law and the economic process. Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Günther G. (1979) Cognition and volition. A contribution to a cybernetic theory of subjectivity. In: Günther G., Beiträge zur Grundlegung einer operationsfähigen Dialektik / Wirklichkeit als Poly-Kontexturalität. Meiner, Hamburg: 203–240.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Hutter M. (2005) Universal artificial intelligence: Sequential decisions based on algorithmic probability. Berlin, Springer.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Keller E. F. & Segel L. A. (1970) Initiation of slime mold aggregation viewed as an instability. Journal of Theoretical Biology 26: 399–415.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Maturana H. R. (1990) The biological foundations of self consciousness and the physical domain of existence. In: Luhmann N., Maturana H. R., Namiki M., Redder V. & Varela F. J. (eds.) Beobachter: Konvergenz der Erkenntnistheorien? Fink, Munich: 47–117.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
McMullin B. & Varela F. J. (1997) Rediscovering computational autopoiesis. In: Husbands P. & Harvey I. (eds.) Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Artificial Life. MIT Press, Cambridge: 38–47.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Miller K. (2004) The flagellum unspun: The collapse of irreducible complexity. In: Dembski W. & Ruse M. (eds.) Debating design: from Darwin to DNA. Cambridge University Press, New York: 81–97.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Mitchell M. (2009) Complexity: A guided tour. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Neumann J. von (1929) Über eine Widerspruchsfreiheitsfrage in der axiomatischen Mengenlehre. Journal für die reine und angewandte Mathematik 160, 227–241.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Parunak V. D. H. & Brueckner S. (2001) Entropy and self-organization in multi-agent systems. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Autonomous Agents (Agents 2001) ACM, New York: 124–130.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Pias C. (ed.) (2003–2004) Cybernetics – Kybernetik. The Macy-Conferences 1946–1953. Transactions / Protokolle. 2 Volumes. Diaphanes, Zurich.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Prigogine I. (1980) From being to becoming. Time and complexity in the physical sciences. Freeman, San Francisco.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Rosen R. (1985) Anticipatory systems: philosophical, mathematical and methodological foundations. Pergamon Press.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Shannon C. E. (1948) A mathematical theory of communication. Bell System Technical Journal 27: 379–423, 623–656.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Solomonoff R. J. (1964) A formal theory of inductive inference: Parts 1 and 2. Information and Control 7: 1–22, 224–254.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Spencer-Brown G. (1972) Laws of form. First American Edition. The Julian Press, New York.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Varela F. J. (1992) Autopoiesis and a biology of intentionality. In: McMullin B. (ed.) Proceedings of a Workshop on “Autopoiesis and Perception.” Dublin City University, Dublin: 4–14.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
White H. C. (1992) Identity and control: A structural theory of social action. Princeton University Press, Princeton.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Wolfram S. (2002) A new kind of science. Wolfram Research, Champaign IL.
▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Comments: 0
To stay informed about comments to this publication and post comments yourself, please log in first.