A Transdisciplinary Introduction to the World of Cybernetics: Basics, Models, Theories and Practical Examples

by E. W. Udo Kïppers

Overview

This introduction to the world of cybernetics provides the basics and discusses the most important thought leaders, models as well as theories. Practical examples from the fields of biology, ecology, technology, society, and politics are used to illustrate the theoretical material. Questions at the end of the chapters stimulate reflection, and the author does not owe the answers. A central theme in all cybernetic considerations and a guiding theme of the book are information exchange and communication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783658421168
Publisher:	Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Edition description:	1st ed. 2024
Pages:	247
Product dimensions:	6.61(w) x 9.45(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr.-Ing. E. W. Udo Küppers studied engineering in Düsseldorf and at the TU Berlin, where he received his doctorate in 1983. After scientific activities in research institutions and participation in international R&D projects, he leads the independent working group Küppers-Systemdenken since 2001.

Since 2013 as a lecturer - from 2016 as a director of studies - of AKAD-University in Stuttgart, he supervises various teaching modules. Central is the module Interdisciplinary Competence with currently nine technical economic topic complexes, including Systemic Bionics, Cyberphysical Systems and Robotics, Neural Networks, Risk Strategies, Beyond Economics, New Working and Anthropocene.

He is interested in the boundary between nature and technology, in particular a fault-tolerant highly attentive approach in complex organizational processes, as well as systems thinking and action, accompanied by impact network methods for efficient sustainable practical solutions.

Table of Contents

Brief historical overview.- Two examples of cybernetic views.- System delimitation.- Part and whole.- Effect structure.- Structure and behavior.- Steering and development.- Perception or the cybernetics of cybernetics.- Basic concepts and language of cybernetics.- Control Circuit and Elements.- Negative Feedback - Negative - Balanced - Feedback.- Positive Feedback - Positive - Reenforced - Feedback.- Self-Regulation - Self-Regulation.- Fluid Equilibrium - Steady-State - and other Equilibria.- Homeostasis - Homeostasis.- Variety - Variety. Cybernetics and its representatives.- Cybernetic models and orders.- Cybernetics and theories.- Cybernetic systems in practice.- Cybernetic systems in nature.- Blood sugar control loop.- Pupil control loop.- Control loop model in forest ecosystem.- Cybernetic systems in technology.- Control of the focus of a camera.- Control of the position of the read/write head in a computer hard disk drive.- Control of the power steering in a motor vehicle.- Control of the room and heating water temperature.- Cybernetic systems in economics.- A cybernetic economic model of procurement-induced disturbances.- The cybernetic control loop as a management tool in the plant life cycle.- The CyberPractice method according to Dr. Boysen.- Cybernetic systems in society.- Sociocybernetics - Sociocybernetics.- Psychological cybernetics.- Cybernetic governance - Cybernetic government.- Cybernetics and education - Learning biology as an opportunity.- Cybernetics and the military.