Search results

This paper aims to introduce the concept and praxis for eigenform in the context of second-order cybernetics.

The paper is designed as a formal (partly mathematical) introduction with excursions into the applications and meanings of these constructions. Mathematics studies what a distinction would be if there could be a distinction. Mathematics is a special form of fictional design. This study raises the question of “What it would mean to go beyond mathematics or for mathematics to go beyond itself?”.

This study shows how objects in the author’s experience can be seen to be eigenforms and that in this context such objects are a construct of their interactions, linguistic and otherwise experiential. In this way, the author can investigate scientifically without the need for an assumption of objectivity. The author cocreates the universe through the discovery of distinctions and eigenforms in their dialogue with what can be.

The implications of this research are profound for the performance and exploration of science. The author can explore their role in that creation and find that what they create is independent of significant subsets of their actions.

The practical implications of this study are strongest for the logical understanding of the author’s constructions and actions. They have used eigenform and reflexivity to maintain a clear view of their participation in their own worlds.

The social implications are in accordance with the practical implications. The author can now admit that they each produce eigenform models of the others and for themselves. These models have in-depth usage, in that it is understood that one is not identical with their models.

This paper presents a highly original and very simple way to incorporate second-order cybernetics into all thought and action.

Discusses the notion of eigenform as explicated by Heinz von Foerster wherein an object is seen to be a token for those behaviors that lend the object its apparent stability in a changing world.

Describes von Foerster's model for eigenforms and recursions and puts this model in the context of mathematical recursions, fractals, set theory, logic, quantum mechanics, the lambda calculus of Church and Curry, and the categorical framework of fixed points of Lawvere.

Determines that iterating a transformation upon itself is seen to be a key to understanding the nature of objects and the relationship of an observer and the apparent world of the observer.

Contemplates the concept of recursion in the context of second‐order cybernetics.

In this conceptual paper the authors aim to discuss the implications of a second-order cybernetic approach and eigenbehavior in ecosystem management. The authors argue that traditional management practices rely on the agreement of stakeholders, but this approach cannot satisfy multiple-objective realities, making radical constructivism necessary.

The authors examined this conjecture using a multi-agent simulation exercise. Agents display individual behavior consistent with the organizing principles proposed by von Foerster (eigenform and eigenbehavior), Hoffman (perception and fitness) and Maturana (domains of realization). This exercise is complemented with an ecosystem management classification exercise to show how convergence is achieved when a team of trained professionals describes entities of low versus high complexity in a spatially explicit domain.

The authors showed that eigenforms can diverge significantly depending on the complexity of the problem. The capacity of observers to stabilize an eigenform and create a common ground for understanding depends on the complexity of the problem at hand and their cognitive diversity. The authors highlighted the difficulties that arose when observation and modification through the intervention of the environment cannot be detached. The authors argue that this situation deeply permeates ecosystem resource management due to the unpredictable outcomes displayed by entities embedded into open system dynamics.

Finally, the authors propose that the association between indication and transformation can be operationally interconnected as Eigenperception, which corresponds to a novel dynamic state bridging the gap between noise and eigenform. This concept of Eigenperception encapsulates entities that arise from eigenbehavior, encompassing observations, meanings, human transformative actions and ecological processes, all in a simultaneous manner.

The purpose of the paper is to propose an effective approach of artificial intelligence (AI) addressing social-humanitarian reality comprising non-formalizable representation. The new task is to describe processes of integration of AI and humans in the hybrid systems framework.

Social-humanitarian dynamics contradict traditional characteristics of AI. Suggested methodology embraces formalized and non-formalized parts as a whole. Holonic and special convergent approaches are combined to ensure purposefulness and sustainability of collective decision-making. Inverse problem solving on topology spaces, control thermodynamics and non-formalizable (considering quantum and relativistic) semantics include observers of eigenforms of reality.

Collective decision-making cannot be represented only by formal means. Thus, this paper suggests the equation of hybrid reality (HyR), which integrates formalizable and non-formalizable parts conveying and coalescing holonic approaches, thermodynamic theory, cognitive modeling and inverse problem solving. The special convergent approach makes the solution of this equation purposeful and sustainable.

The suggested approach is far reaching with respect of current state-of-the-art technology; medium-term limitations are expected in the creation of cognitive semantics.

Social-humanitarian events embrace all phenomena connected with individual and collective human behavior and decision-making. The paper will impact deeply networked experts, groups of crowds, rescue teams, researchers, professional communities, society and environment.

New possibilities for advanced AI to enable purposeful and sustainable social-humanitarian subjects. The special convergent information structuring during collective decision-making creates necessary conditions toward the goals.

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a more central role for reflexive artistic practices in a clarified research agenda for second-order cybernetics (SOC). This is offered as a way to assist the field in the further development of its theoretical/methodological “core” and, subsequently, enhance its impact on the world.

The argument begins by reviewing Karl Müller’s account of the failure of SOC to emerge as a mainstream endeavor. Then, Müller’s account is recontextualized within recent developments in SOC that are traced through the Design Cybernetics movement inspired by Ranulph Glanville. This alternate narrative frames a supposedly moribund period as a phase of continuing refinement of the field’s focus upon its “proper object of study,” namely, the observer’s mentation of/about their mentation. The implications of this renewed focus are then positioned within Larry Richard’s vision of the cybernetician, not as “scientist” per se but rather as a “craftsperson in and with time” capable of productively varying the dynamics of their daily interactions. Having centered widespread capacity building for this “craft” as a proposed research agenda for a new phase of SOC, the paper concludes by pointing to the unique and necessary role to be played by the arts in this endeavor. Personal reflections upon the author’s own artistic and theoretical activities are included throughout.

The development and application of artistic methods for the enhancement of individual capacity for second-order observation is consistent with the purpose of SOC, namely, “to explain the observer to himself.” Therefore, it is in the field’s interest to more fulsomely embrace non-scientific, arts-based forms of research.

In a truly reflexive/recursive fashion, the very idea that first-person, arts-based narratives are seen, from a mainstream scientific point of view, as an insufficiently rigorous form of research is, itself, a research limitation. This highlights, perhaps ironically, the need for cybernetics to continue to pursue its own independent definitions and standards of research beyond the boundaries of mainstream science rather than limiting its own modes of inquiry in the name of “scientific legitimacy.”

A general uptake of the view presented here would expand the horizon of what might be considered legitimate, rigorous and valuable research in the field.

The view presented here implies that many valuable contributions that SOC can make to society take place beyond the constraints of academic publication and within the realm of personal growth and social development.

The very clearly defined and “refocused” vision of SOC in this paper can be of substantial utility in developing a more robust, distinctive and concrete research agenda across this field.

The purpose of this paper is to set up a comprehensive numerical approach to estimate the 3D structural vibration and noise radiation of an induction machine.

The rotating force waves, acting in the air gap of an induction machine and obtained by an electromagnetic finite element multi‐slice simulation, are applied to the 3D structural finite element model and a structural harmonic simulation is performed. The sound emission due to the vibration of the surface of the machine is computed with a 3D boundary element model.

The paper outlays problematic issues when setting up the numerical models, i.e. the structural finite element model. The material properties strongly affect the structural behaviour and therefore the radiated noise.

The 3D force distribution in the air gap and the resulting vibrations are computed. The structural behaviour, i.e. the different vibrational behaviour of stator and surface is discussed. The correlation of the structural vibrations and the noise radiation is investigated.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the eigenforms and eigenfrequencies of stator core stack by experimental and numerical investigation. The influence of material parameters on the structural vibrations is carried out in order to describe the laminated structure of stator core stack with a homogeneous material model.

The finite element method is applied for a numerical modal analysis. Therefore, a homogeneous transversally isotropic material model is introduced and the influence of each material parameter on the dynamical behavior is investigated. These material parameters are stepwise adjusted to the results from the experimental modal analysis. The investigation includes results from different stator core stacks.

The influence of material on the modal parameters is shown. Furthermore, material parameters are carried out for stator core stacks, which describe the measured dynamical behaviour.

The presented investigations show a useable material model and corresponding parameters to the description of the laminated structure of stator core stacks.

This conceptual paper aims to respond to the dearth of theory and mechanisms for handling the inherent ethereality, multiplicity and mutability of organisational identity and organisational image.

This study considers existing approaches to organisational identity noting the diverse understandings of the paradoxical nature of identity. The authors suggest that identity is still essentially perceived as what is core and enduring about the character of an organisation with changes of identity being viewed as occurrences effectuated by events. In contrast, the authors argue that, because of the fluid interrelationships between identity and image, organisational identity is better viewed as an unstable construct.

Departing from Bakhtin’s logic of dialogism, this study proposes that identity–image result from dialogic relationships which in turn construct a system of polyphony. This study devises a preliminary polyphonic model which has the capacity to incorporate diverse stakeholder associations and fluctuating interpretations as well as situational understandings of organisational messages.

This study’s proposed model allows to trace how organisational identity–image is continually co-constructed recursively and cyclically and to systematise the various voices that are important for an organisation’s strategic objectives.

The paper serves as an introduction to the special issue on Heinz von Foerster. Major episodes of his life are sketched and related to his scientific convictions regarding transdisciplinary research and radical constructivist. In the second part the contributions to the issue are summarized. Finally, the relevance of Foerster's work is discussed.

The arguments are based on the scientific literature.

Foerster argued against reductionist science and in favor of transdisciplinary research in order to trigger further scientific developments.

By using transdiciplinary and choosing the constructivist perspective, science will increase its productivity. This should be reflected in science policy.

By pointing at the variety of his scientific output and his influence on many colleagues and students, the paper is in support of Foerster's non‐reductionist worldview.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the surface vibrations of an induction machine due to force waves acting on the stator and rotor core. The focus lies on the investigation of the influence of force waves with axial variation and with higher spatial ordinal numbers on the surface vibration of an induction machine and thus its emitted noise.

Unit force waves with different spatial ordinal numbers and varying in axial direction are set up and applied on the stator and rotor teeth of a structural finite element model of an induction machine. Structural harmonic analyses with different frequencies are performed and the deformation of the machine is determined. After that, the root mean square of the normal component of the velocity on the surface of the machine's housing is determined and compared for the different force waves.

The influence of force waves with spatial ordinal numbers of higher order can have a significant influence on the structural vibration, especially if the spatial ordinal number is near the number of teeth. Furthermore, it is shown that the structure may react sensitively to axial variations of the forces, particularly near distinct structural resonances.

The presented investigations show relevant issues influencing the noise behaviour of electrical machines.