Understanding Understanding: Essays on Cybernetics and CognitionIn these essays Heinz von Foerster discusses some of the fundamental principles that govern how we know the world and how we process the information from which we derive that knowledge. Included are path- breaking articles concerning the principles of computation in neural nets (1967), the definition of self-organizing systems (1960), the nature of cognition (1970), as well as recent expansions on these themes (e.g. "How recursive is communication," 1993). Working with Norbert Wiener, Warren McCullough, and others in the 1960s and 1970s, von Foerster was one of the founders of the science of cybernetics, which has had profound effects both on modern systems theory and on the philosophy of cognition. At the Biological Computer Laboratory at the University of Illinois he produced the first parallel computers and contributed to many other developments in the theory of computation and cognition. |
Contents
1 | |
Computation in Neural Nets | 21 |
What Is Memory that It May Have Hindsight and Foresight as well? | 101 |
Molecular Ethology An Immodest Proposal for Semantic Clarification | 133 |
Thoughts and Notes on Cognition | 169 |
Responsibilities of Competence | 191 |
Perception of the Future and the Future of Perception | 199 |
On Constructing a Reality | 211 |
Tokens for EigenBehaviors | 261 |
Discovery or Invention? | 273 |
Cybernetics of Cybernetics | 283 |
Ethics and SecondOrder Cybernetics | 287 |
How Recursive | 305 |
Introduction to Natural Magic | 325 |
339 | |
351 | |
Other editions - View all
Understanding Understanding: Essays on Cybernetics and Cognition Heinz von Foerster Limited preview - 2003 |
Understanding Understanding: Essays on Cybernetics and Cognition Heinz von Foerster No preview available - 2010 |
Understanding Understanding: Essays on Cybernetics and Cognition Heinz von Foerster No preview available - 2003 |
Common terms and phrases
action function action network activity autopoiesis become behavior Biological brain called cell cognitive complex computation concept connection COORD coordinates course cubes cybernetician defined demon developed distribution Eigen Eigenvalues elements energy entropy environment epistemology equation equivalent ethics example experiences expression fibers Figure finite state machine formal frequency func give Heinz von Foerster Hence input instance interaction internal interpretation invariance language layer linear logical functions mathematical matrix Maturana McCulloch mechanisms memory molecular molecule n-sequence namely nervous system neural neuron Neurophysiology Niklas Luhmann Norbert Wiener notions objects observer operations output principle problem processes properties proposition pulse question receptor recursive function reference relation representation represented response second-order cybernetics self-organizing system self-reference semantic sensory signals stimulus structure surface symbol synaptic tesselations theorem theory things threshold tion trivial machine turn University of Illinois values variables words York