An Understanding of General Systems Theory (GST) with an Interpretation of its Applications to Cybernetics

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

• Mohammad reza Davarpanah
• Amir Rismanbaf

Ferdowsi University

10.22067/riis.v7i1.27344

Abstract

INTRODOCTION:
General Systems Theory (GST) is itself derived from system approach to phenomena. The study aims to understand the nature and conceptual components of the theory through reviewing the emergence and spread of system approach. Also, it has tried to interpret the application of general systems theory to cybernetics with regard to the conceptual component of this theory.
METHODOLOGY:
This article is a conceptual analysis. In general, conceptual analysis of texts is based on textual collected data, with the aim of gaining an understanding of the dimensions and constituents of each of the main concepts as well as their conceptual boundaries. In this study, texts related to cybernetics and the general theory of systems has been conceptually analyzed.
FINDINGS:
Since this article is about the nature and conceptual components of the system approach, this study aimed at providing a better understanding of theoretical background and historical-philosophical frameworks of the general systems theory. Besides, as there is a strong link between GST and cybernetics, it can provide a cybernetic interpretation and understanding of the general systems theory. The findings showed that the main branches of these two domains have come to the fore in many disciplines including information science. The general theory of systems along with the theory of cybernetics is both important components in the development of information science theory. According to the general theory of systems and also the theory of cybernetics, cybernetic systems operate on the information contained in control actions; therefore, since all control actions in the systems of cybernetics have an information root, it can be said that the information element is considered as an essential component of this kind of systems.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study indicates that equating two fields' system science and cybernetics is theoretically well founded; however, there are many common ideas and goals among them some of which are mentioned in this article. This alignment between the two disciplines of systems science and cybernetics is due to the fact that these two are the product of a common attitude and approach: system approach. In both, the concept of system is a key concept, and the introduction of laws and principles that are synonymous, generalizable, and holistic is of genuine value.

Keywords

• General Systems Theory (GST)
• Cybernetics
• System approach
• Mechanic approach
• system
• reduction
• Complexity

---

References

برتالنفی، لودویگ فون (1366). مبانی، تکامل و کاربردهای نظریه عمومی سیستم ها. ترجمه کیومرث پریانی. تهران: تندر.

بلاوبرگ، ا. و.؛ فرن سادوسکی، ا. گ. یودین (1361). نظریه سیستم ها: مسائل فلسفی و روش‌شناختی. ترجمه کیومرث پریانی. تهران: تندر.

پائو، میراندا لی (1379). مفاهیم بازیابی اطلاعات. ترجمه اسدالله آزاد، رحمت‌الله فتاحی. مشهد: دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد.

داورپناه، محمدرضا (1391). تقریرات درس ارتباطات و سیبرنتیک (دوره دکتری علم اطلاعات و دانش‌شناسی). مشهد: دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، دانشکده علوم تربیتی.

داورپناه، محمدرضا (1393). نظریه علم. تهران: دبیزش.

دوران، دانیل (1370). نظریه سیستم‌ها. ترجمه محمد یمنی دوزی سرخابی. تهران: انتشارات و آموزش انقلاب اسلامی.

راسل، برتراند (1365). تاریخ فلسفه غرب. ترجمه نجف دریابندری. تهران: پرواز.

رهادوست، بهار (1386). فلسفه کتابداری و اطلاع‌رسانی. تهران: کتابدار.

لرنر، الکساندر یاکوولیویچ (1366). مبانی سیبرنتیک. ترجمه کیومرث پریانی. تهران: دانش‌پژوه.

Bates, M. J. (1999)." The invisible substrate of information science", Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 50 (12): P. 1043-1050, Available at: http://pages.gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/bates/substrate.html

Chen, David; Walter Stroup (1993).” General System Theory: Toward a Conceptual Framework for Science and Technology Education for All”, Journal of Science Education and Technology, 2 (7): PP. 447- 459.

Chen, Mian-Yun, Zhijun Li, Long Zhou, Hejing Xiong, Xianjie An (2004)." SCGM-model and grey control of “poor” information systems", Kybernetes, 33 (2): P. 231-237.

Geyer, Felix; Johannes van der Zouwen (1991)." Cybernetics and Social Science: Theories and Research in SocioCybernetics", Kybernetes, 20(6): P. 81-92, Available at: http://www.unizar.es/sociocybernetics/chen/felix/pfge3.html

Guberman, Shelia (2002).” Reflections on Ludwig Von Bertalanfy’s General System Theory: Foundation, Development, Application”, Available at: http://www.afscet.asso.fr/resSystemica/Crete02/Guberman.pdf

Heylighen, Francis; Cliff Joslyn, V. Turchin (1999).” What are Cybernetics and Systems Science?”, Available at: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CYBSWHAT.html

Kennedy, Michael (2011)." Cybernetics and system dynamics: impacts on public policy", Kybernetes, 40 (1/2): P. 124- 140.

Korn, Janos (2011)." From the systemic view to systems science", Kybernetes, 40 (1/2): P. 23- 46.

Mulej, Matjaz, Vojko Potocan, Zdenka Zenko, Stefan Kajzer, Dusko Ursic, Jozica Knez-Riedl, Monty Lynn, Jozef Ovsenik (2004)."How to restore Bertalanffian systems thinking", Kybernetes, 35 (3/4): P. 461- 470.

Nechansky, Helmut (2011)." Cybernetics as the science of decision making", Kybernetes, 40 (1/2): P. 63-79.

Rowe, James (2007)." Cybernetics of culture", Kybernetes, 36 (5/6): P. 590- 606.

Vallee, Robert (2003)." Cybernetics and systems, from past to future", Kybernetes, 32 (5/6): P. 853- 857.