1 cybernetics and systems theory: challenges, opportunities & examples for advancing social...
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Cybernetics and Systems Theory: Challenges, Opportunities & Examples
for Advancing Social Theory5th Biennial International Congress on the Philosophical, Epistemological and
Methodological Implications of Complexity TheoryHavana, Cuba, January 6-10 2010
Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.
Director, Foundation for the Advancement of Social Theory Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation, Fielding Graduate University
[email protected] http://ProjectFAST.org
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World Problems need a Revolution in Social Theory
• War
• Poverty
• Crime
• Ignorance
• Uncertainty
Revolutions in social theory will generate revolutions in practice of the same scope as revolutions in agriculture, industry, electricity, & computers.
Los problemas mundiales necesitan una revolución en la
teoría social
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In all these chapters, we strive for a challenge – a revolution in theory…
…Of course, Thomas Kuhn…• Described importance of
paradigm Revolution
• A revolution based on empirical analysis
• Problem: Did not define “how much change” is revolutionary.
• Did not define revolution in terms of theory
• Descrito importancia de paradigma Revolución
• Una revolución basada en el análisis empírico
• Problema: no se define un "cambio de cuánto" es revolucionaria.
• No define la revolución en términos de la teoría
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This is a “new logic”Based on complexity
theory.
We are quantifying the ratio of emergence / co-causality in a body of
theory.
Measuring Theory for Paradigm Revolution
Se trata de un “nuevo logica” Basado en la
teoría de la complejidad.
Estamos cuantificando la proporción de emergencia / co-
causalidad en un cuerpo de teoría.
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This Analysis• Cuantifica emergencia mediante la identificación de
la RELACIÓN entre el número total de ideas, y las ideas que son emergentes.
• ¿Cuál es la relación entre la estructura de la teoría y la revolución de paradigma de Kuhn?
• Quantifies Emergence by identifying the RATIO between the total number of ideas, and the ideas that are emergent.
• What is the relationship between the structure of theory and Kuhnian paradigm revolution?
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For Example…Plutarch’s Theory 100 CE
Magnet
Pushes Air
Pushes Iron
Exhalations
Rubbing
Pushes Small
Objects
Amber
Exhalations
Pushes Air
Ratio of Robustness = 0.14(one emergent idea divided by seven total ideas)
Linear logic
One emergent
idea
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Gilbert 1600 CE
Robustness of 0.21(three emergent aspects divided by 14 total aspects)
Better –
but
most
ly
linear
emergent ideas
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Coulomb 1785 CE
Robustness of 1.0(three emergent aspects divided by three total aspects)
CHARGEFORCE
DISTANCE
Note: c
o-
causa
lity o
f
the lo
gic
Revolution!
Kuhn says this theory is of the paradigmatic revolution. Thus, it may also be said that a robustness of 1.0 is a revolutionary version of theory.
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Ratio of Emergent Ideas in a Theory(also relates to effectiveness in application)
Theories of Electrostatic Attraction
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Year
Ro
bu
stn
es
s
Revolution!
Proporción de las ideas emergentes en una teoría
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Change in Aspects Over Time
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0 500 1000 1500 2000
Year
Nu
mb
er
of
As
pe
cts
Change in Aspects over Time
Number of Emergent
Ideas
Total Ideas in
Each Theory
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Effectiveness of Some TheoriesBench
mar
k:
Encuest
a
Marca:
More Revolution
LessRevolution
Management Theories Superimposed on Development of Electrostatic Attraction Theory
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
Ro
bu
stn
es
s
Institutional Theory – 0.31
Peak Performance Theory – 0.17
Organizational Learning Theory – 0.16
Structure of Ethics – 0.25
Integral Theory – 0.10 Social Entrepreneurship Theory – 0.13
Complex Adaptive Systems Theory – 0.63
Complexity Theory – 0.56
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The bird of science cannot fly with one wing. We need empirical analysis AND robust theory.
El pájaro de la ciencia no puede volar con un ala.
Es necesario el análisis empírico Y la teoría robusta.
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• We need to measure the Robustness / Emergence of theory to make better theory and achieve paradigm revolution.
• The potential benefits to humanity are very large (socially, psychologically, economically).
• Tenemos que medir la robustez / surgimiento de la teoría para hacer mejor la teoría de la revolución y lograr el paradigma.
• Los beneficios potenciales para la humanidad son muy grandes (social, psicológica, económica).
Using emergent / robust theory will provide advantages to researcher, organizations, and nations.
Usando emergentes / sólidos que la teoría proporcionará ventajas a los investigadores, organizaciones y naciones.
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Muchas Gracias Muchas Gracias Steven E. Wallis, Ph.D.
Director, FAST
Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation,
Fielding Graduate University
Fielding Graduate University is a 501 c (3) non-profit university of higher learning.