The quantum turn in cybernetics

Abstract

Purpose

The aim is to identify and demonstrate the paradigmatic changes that quantum information science engenders in observing and the cybernetics thereof. The new paradigm obviates articulation nodes between the physical and non‐physical worlds (in the sense of Penrose).

Design/methodology/approach

Using modal/conditional heuristics, falsification, and consistency analysis, the study designs a formal approach to operating distinctions and (re‐)unifying them through their (formal) languages. To be able to introduce new concepts, consequences of key theses in cybernetics, information, and quantum information science are discussed.

Findings

The observer's observer turns into a quantum observer through extending both the how‐controls to what‐why‐controls, and cybernetics' competence of conveying control across disciplines. This turn confines successive‐orders cybernetics to particular applications, but enables the observing to become nearly as self‐generative as information or knowledge is. Quantum observer and cybernetics are shown to be tight in a mutual learning circularity.

Research limitations/implications

Immediate implications concern the framework for unifying observation‐based disciplines with those relying on knowledge generated formally. A limitation is that the framework is necessarily incomplete. At the far‐end, formalisms that solve problems of observer‐dependent complexities are expected to result.

Originality/value

The approach and findings are reported here for the first time. These and the philosophy/epistemology behind cross‐, or non‐disciplinary observers‐languages are crucial for designers of research programmes as well as for actualising sociocybernetics' potential of becoming a unifier.

Citation

Lunca, M. (2006), "The quantum turn in cybernetics", Kybernetes, Vol. 35 No. 7/8, pp. 1241-1255. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920610675229