Müller K. H. & Riegler A. (2014) Second-Order Science: A Vast and Largely Unexplored Science Frontier. Constructivist Foundations 10(1): 7–15. https://cepa.info/1148
Context: Many recent research areas such as human cognition and quantum physics call the observer-independence of traditional science into question. Also, there is a growing need for self-reflexivity in science, i.e., a science that reflects on its own outcomes and products. Problem: We introduce the concept of second-order science that is based on the operation of re-entry. Our goal is to provide an overview of this largely unexplored science domain and of potential approaches in second-order fields. Method: We provide the necessary conceptual groundwork for explorations in second-order science, in which we discuss the differences between first- and second-order science and where we present a roadmap for second-order science. The article operates mainly with conceptual differentiations such as the separation between three seemingly identical concepts such as Science II, Science 2.0 and second-order science. Results: Compared with first-order science, the potential of second-order science lies in 1. higher levels of novelty and innovations, 2. higher levels of robustness and 3. wider integration as well as higher generality. As first-order science advances, second-order science, with re-entry as its basic operation, provides three vital functions for first-order science, namely a rich source of novelty and innovation, the necessary quality control and greater integration and generality. Implications: Second-order science should be viewed as a major expansion of traditional scientific fields and as a scientific breakthrough towards a new wave of innovative research. Constructivist content: Second-order science has strong ties with radical constructivism, which can be qualified as the most important root/origin of second-order science. Moreover, it will be argued that a new form of cybernetics is needed to cope with the new problems and challenges of second-order science.
G. Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form is summarized and the philosophical implications examined. Laws of Form is a mathematical system which deals with the emergence of anything out of the void. It traces how a single distinction in a void leads to the creation of space, where space is considered at its most primitive, without dimension. This in turn leads to two seemingly self-evident “laws.” With those laws taken as axioms, first an arithmetic is developed, then an algebra based on the arithmetic. The algebra is formally equivalent to Boolean algebra, though it satisfies all 2-valued systems. By following the implications of the algebra to its logical conclusions, self-reference emerges within the system in the guise of re-entry into the system. Spencer-Brown interprets this re-entry as creating time in much the same way in which distinction created space. Finally the paper considers the question of self-reference as seen in Francisco Varela’s Principles of Biological Autonomy, which extended Spencer-Brown’s Laws of Form to a 3-valued system.
Schiltz M. & Verschraegen G. (2002) Spencer-Brown, Luhmann and Autology. Cybernetics & Human Knowing 9(3–4): 55–78. https://cepa.info/3210
In this article we try to show how a social theory can be constructed which takes the requirement of self-implication or autology serious. For this purpose, we turn to Niklas Luhmann’s theory of self-referential, autopoietic systems. For it is our thesis that the specific conatus of Luhmann’s enterprise is to construct an autological social theory i.e. a theory which is sufficiently complex to imply itself, to describe itself in the course of describing its objects of investigation. To demonstrate this claim, the line of argument has firmly been rooted in George Spencer-Brown’s Law of Forms, a work central to systems theory. The architecture of Luhmann’s systems theory is thus presented in accordance with Spencer-Brown’s calculus of indications. Special attention is being paid to systems theory’s Leitdifferenz system/ environment. For this distinction is literally maintained as the alpha and the omega of the theory: the Leitdifferenz carries theoretical observations, and at the same time permits the self-observation. By means of the figure of ‘re-entry’, drawn from Spencer-Brown’s calculus, we show how the starting distinction between system and environment, can ‘re-enter’ the construction founded upon it and makes it possible for the theory to observe itself as a system within an environment.
Staude M. (2008) Meaning and Description in Non-dualism: A Formalization and Extension. Constructivist Foundations 3(3): 231–248. https://cepa.info/104
Problem: The article seeks to tackle three problems of Mitterer’s non-dualistic philosophy. Firstly, the key term description remains not only rather unclear and rudimentary but also isolated from relevant neighboring terms and theories of other disciplines. Secondly, a logical reconstruction and formal model of non-dualism is still lacking. Thirdly, there are hardly any extensions of philosophical non-dualism to non-philosophical disciplines and fields. Findings: The three main findings of the article are based on the abovementioned problems. Firstly, the non-dualistic term description will be connected to the sociological and semiotic term meaning by emphasizing their semantic-pragmatic similarities. Moreover, a common and distinction-theoretic conceptualization of both terms will be proposed. Secondly, a non-dualistic formalization and logical reconstruction will be elaborated by deducing non-dualism from dualism using the operation of re-entry. Thirdly, the non-dualistic formalization will be applied to the classical semiotic triangle, resulting in the elaboration of a non-dualistic semiotic triangle. Benefits: The aforementioned findings have two possible benefits. Firstly, the compatibility between the terms description and meaning makes philosophical non-dualism connectable to social science approaches, especially to sociology and semiotics. This may be an important avenue for interdisciplinary cross-fertilization and co-operation. Secondly, the formalization and logical deduction may help to clarify and explicitize non-dualism’s main arguments and implicit assumptions.
Teubner G. (2001) Alienating justice: On the surplus value of the twelfth camel. In: Pribáñ J. & Nelken D. (eds.) Law’s new boundaries: The consequences of legal autopoiesis. Ashgate, Aldershot: 21–44. https://cepa.info/5246
Taking Niklas Luhmann’s essay on the Return of the twelfth camel as a starting point, the article deals with some major consequences of legal autopoiesis, but shifts the focus from law’s internal self-reference to the external relations of law to society. It uses the idea of re-entry by Spencer Brown to analyse the problematic relation between the legal and the extra-legal. Consequence is a multiple alienation of law from its social origins. In this perspective the article begins to redefine four topics of social theory of law: the role of legal argument in litigation, the co-evolution of law and social production regimes, the potential of the social sciences in legal reality constructs, and the reconstruction of collective actors, particularly of the new ecological actants, in the legal discourse.