Review of Cybernetics: circular causal and feedback mechanisms in biological and social systems

Abstract

Reviews the book, "Cybernetics: Circular causal and feedback mechanisms in biological and social systems," edited by Heinz Von Foerster (see record 1952-06955-000 ). This is the third volume on cybernetics published by the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation and is a complete transcript of the eighth conference on this subject sponsored by the Foundation. Although the title does not indicate it, this conference was devoted almost entirely to problems of communication. Six papers were presented and thoroughly discussed by representatives of the natural and social sciences. The book is not a collection of answers to communication problems or even a report of experimentation directed toward that end. It is instead a stimulating source of hypotheses and suggestions and an interesting illustration of the application of widely differing approaches to a common problem. The discussions are intense and wide-ranging and at times seem to get out of hand. The free exchange of ideas, however, seems very valuable and is certainly worth the occasional digression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)