JLM's systemic

Notes de lecture (en anglais !) sur le statut epistemologique de la connaissance : la systemique de Jean Louis LEMOIGNE, par Darek M. Eriksson

What is knowledge? [Q1]

What is Knowledge is a gnostic question.

LMS’ epistemological version, called Projective Constructivist Epistemology is that the what presents the two basic hypotheses :

- the phenomenological hypothesis [Q1H1] about knowing is that it has 3 properties : irreversible [Q1H1P1], recursive [Q1H1P2], dialectic [Q1H1P3]

- the teleological hypothesis [Q1H2]

Why is knowledge valid? [Q2]

Why is knowledge si valid is an ethical question

The why question presents the criterion for validation, which is projective (or cognitive) feasibility, to be contrasted with the positivist’s aspiration for objective truth. This presents LMS’ solution to the dilemma between objectivity and relativism. Projective feasibility is possible due to the so-called social contract and the autonomy of science as a domain of thought,

2 postulats :

· validation of knowing is postulated as due to the criterion of projective feasibility [Q2Ps1]

· the domain of science in general is postulated to be autonomous [Q2Ps2]

How to construct knowledge ? [Q3]

How to construct knowledge is a methodological question.

3 groupes de réponses :

· Modelling rationality [Q3R1], Under the label of modelling rationality the following topics are discussed: formalism, procedural rationality, conjunctive or self-referential system of logic and the discussion of the method for conduct of good reason.

o includes procedural rationality [Q3R1S1] rather than substantive,

o a conjunctive system of logic [Q3R1S2] rather than the one of excluded thirds

o and LMS’ own method [Q3R1S3] rather than accepting Descartes.

· Systemic Modelling (SM), [Q3R2] and which may be contrasted with the generally accepted Analytical Modelling (AM), Secondly, systemic modelling discusses: complexity, modelling, the canonic model of a General System, LMS’ modelling instrument called Systemography, the canonic model of a General Process, the canonic model of Information Processing System, LMS’ instrument for articulation of complex systems called Teleological Complexification of Functional Levels, a general and a priori identification of pertinent levels of complexification of a complex system’s organisation as manifested in the canonic model called Decision-Information-Organisation System, and finally the paradigm of an active organisation: Eco-Auto-Re-Organisation with its canonic model of organisation, the latter is a conflictful conjunction of three recursive functions: to produce and self-produce, to relate and selfrelate, to maintain and self-maintain.

o includes the following: a canonic model of a General System (GS), [Q3R2a]

o LMS’ basic modelling tool called Systemography (SGR), [Q3R2b]

o a theory of a General Process (GP), [Q3R2c]

o The latter is a foundation of SM’s modelling tool for articulation of relations between processors in a system; here it is called Teleological Complexification of Functional Levels (TCFL), [Q3R2d]

o LMS offers also a paradigm of organisation, expressed in the concept of Eco-Auto-Re-Organisation (EARO), [Q3R2e].This paradigm considers organisation to be a property of a system. That property is a conjunction of functions that is active and full of conflict, rather than just a passive structure.

· Theory of Inforgetics [Q3R3] which focuses on the relation between information and organisation, eventually mediated by a decision. Thirdly, inforgetic theory refers to the conceptual relation between information and organisation.n It includes: the canonic model of information: Signified-Sign-Signification, the first principle of inforgetics: the principle of selforganisation, and the second principle of inforgetics: the principle of intelligent action.Inforgetics may be contrasted to the theory of energetics,

o the latter focuses on the relation between matter and energy. Inforgetics offers the Principle of Self-Organisation [Q3R3a]

o Principle of Intelligent Action [Q3R3b]

o These two may be juxtaposed with energetics’ principle of mutual conservation between energy and matter (or entropy) and the principle of least action (or maximum- from-minimum).

SOURCE : A Principal Exposition of Jean-Louis Le Moigne’s Systemic Theory - Revue "Cybernetics and Human Knowing". Vol. 4 no. 2-3 1997. - Par Darek M. Eriksson