PRINCIPIA CYBERNETICA WEB - ©

Author: F. Heylighen, C. Joslyn, V. Turchin,
Date : Jun 29, 1995 (modified); Aug 1993 (created)
Parent Node(s):

• Metasystem Transition Theory

Epistemology

In MST Theory, knowledge is understood as consisting of models that allow the adaptation of a cybernetic system to its environment, by anticipation of possible perturbations. Models function as recursive generators of predictions about the world and the self. Models are not static reflections of the environment, but dynamic constructions achieved through trial-and-error by the individual, the species and/or the society. They are both subjective, in the sense of being constructed by the subject for its own purposes, and objective, in the sense of being naturally selected by the environment: models which do not generate adequate predictions are likely to be later eliminated. Thus, the development of knowledge can best be understood as an evolutionary process characterized by variation mechanisms and selection criteria.

There is no "absolutely true" model of reality: there are many different models, any of which may be adequate for solving particular problems, but no model is capable to solve all problems. The most efficient way to choose or to construct a model which is adequate for the given problem is by reasoning on a metacognitive level, where a class of possible models can be analysed and compared. This requires a metasystem transition with respect to the variety of individual models.

Child Nodes:

• Knowledge
• ``Meta-Cognitive'' Reasoning
• Evolutionary approach to Epistemology
• Epistemological Constructivism
• Reflection-correspondence theory
• Subject of knowledge: "I"
• Intuition
• Language
• Truth
• Foundation of logic and mathematics
• Plausibility [empty]
• Probability
• Theories versus facts

URL= http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EPISTEM.html