第三版序一.docVIP

第三版序一 ——CYBERNETICS AND SYSTEMS, FROM PAST TO FUTURE FOUNDERS AND PRECURSORS We consider as founders those who introduced the modern meaning of cybernetics or systems. As far as cybernetics is concerned the most eminent are Norbert Wiener (1894-1964) and Warren Sturgis McCulloch (1898-1969). The importance of the new field which was to become cybernetics was recognized in 1943 by Wiener, McCulloch, John von Neumann and other members of the so-called ‘Teleological Society’ placed under the aegis of the Macy Foundation. But the official birth of cybernetics can be dated of the publication of Wiener’s book ‘Cybernetics or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine’ published in 1948 by Hermann (Paris), The Technology Press and Wiley. But the role of McCulloch is not to be underestimated. It started in 1943 with the publication, with W. .Pitts, of an article about ‘A logical calculus of the ideas immanent in nervous activity’. In the field of systems a name is predominant, that of Ludwig von Bertalanffy (Vienna 1901, USA 1972). He introduced his concept of general systems theory (which he had foreseen in the 20’s) in 1945 in an article published in a philosophical journal and entitled ‘Zu einer allgemeinen Systemlehre’. The German title shows that his purpose was a general theory of systems as examplified in his ‘General System Theory’ (1968). It is usual to consider, in a way, Plato as a precursor because he used the word ‘kybernetike’, in ‘The Republic’ or ‘Gorgias’, as a political metaphor of the art of steering as well as A.-M. Ampère in his ‘Essai sur la philosophie des sciences’ (1843) who used the word ‘cybernétique’ and Trentowski in ‘Philosophy and Cybernetics or the Art of Governing a Country’ (in Polish) who used the word ‘kibernetiki’. Romanian precursors are S. Odobleja (1939) And P. Postelnicu (1947 ). For systems a precursor is A. Bogdanov with ‘Tektologia’ (1912, in Russian). Coming back to cybernetics