UNSPECIFIED (1992) THE PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL AUTOPOIESIS. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL SYSTEMS, 21 (2). pp. 229-236. ISSN 0308-1079

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Abstract

Zeleny and Hufford apply the concept of autopoiesis to three different classes of systems-biological, chemical, and social. My response is concerned with the latter and in particular with Zeleny and Hufford's claims that social systems are autopoietic and that autopoietic systems are inherently social. I argue that these claims are quite ill-founded. There are a number of general weaknesses with Zeleny and Hufford's paper, but, most importantly, the authors fail to see major problems in the ascription of autopoiesis to social systems. These problems are outlined, and the responses of other writers such as Maturana, Varela, and Luhmann are explored. Finally, the importance of and problems with Maturana's and Varela's work is assessed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Journal or Publication Title:	INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL SYSTEMS
Publisher:	GORDON BREACH SCI PUBL LTD
ISSN:	0308-1079
Date:	1992
Volume:	21
Number:	2
Number of Pages:	8
Page Range:	pp. 229-236
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/21615

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