[1]Principia Cybernetica Web

                             Metasystem Transition Theory

   Metasystem Transition Theory (MSTT) is the name we have given our particular
   cybernetic philosophy. Its most salient concept is, of course, the [2]Metasystem
   Transition (MST), the [3]evolutionary process by which higher levels of
   complexity and control are generated. But it also includes our views on
   philosophical problems, and makes predictions about the possible future of
   mankind and life. Our goal is to create, on the basis of cybernetic concepts, an
   integrated philosophical system, or "[4]world view", proposing answers to the
   [5]most fundamental questions about the world, ourselves, and our ultimate
   values.

   Our [6]methodology to build this complete philosophical system is based on a
   "bootstrapping" principle: the expression of the theory affects its content and
   meaning, and vice versa. In this way we aim to apply the principles of
   cybernetics to their own development. Our philosophy too is based on cybernetic
   principles. Our [7]epistemology understands knowledge as a model, which is
   constructed by the subject or group, but undergoes selection by the environment.
   Our [8]metaphysics asserts actions as ontological primitives. On the basis of
   this ontology, we define the most important [9]concepts and organize them in a
   semantic network. At a higher level, we also lay out the fundamental
   [10]principles of cybernetics in terms of these underlying concepts.

   One of the central concepts is that of [11]evolution in the most general sense,
   which is produced by the mechanism of variation and selection. Another is
   [12]control, which we define in a special cybernetic sense, and assert as the
   basic mode of organization in complex systems. This brings us to the central
   concept for MSTT, that of the [13]metasystem transition, or the process by which
   control emerges in evolutionary systems.

   On this basis we then reconstruct the complete [14]history of evolution, from the
   Big Bang to the present, as a sequence of MST's. An extrapolation of this
   sequence provides us with a first glimpse of what the [15]future might bring.
   Finally, the possible dangers and opportunities of our evolutionary future direct
   our attention to the need for formulating an [16]ethics, based on evolutionary
   and systemic principles, that could guide our actions.

Background of the theory

   The concept of the metasystem transition was introduced in [17]Turchin's book
   [18]The Phenomenon of Science, which was followed by [externallink.GIF]
   [19]Inertia of Fear and the Scientific Worldview. The basic tenets of MSTT were
   formulated by Turchin and Joslyn in "[20]The Cybernetic Manifesto". As Heylighen
   joined the Editorial Board, the work on MSTT intensified, and the Principia
   Cybernetica Web was created. A major collection of papers on MSTT by the three
   editors and invited authors was published in a special issue of the journal World
   Futures entitled "[21]The Quantum of Evolution". MSTT is also being applied to
   [22]computer science and the foundations of mathematics by Turchin and his
   colleagues. The [23]bibliography of PCP includes most publications on MSTT.
     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [24]Copyright© 1997 Principia Cybernetica - [25]Referencing this page

   Author
   C. [26]Joslyn, F. [27]Heylighen, V. [28]Turchin,

   Date
   Jul 7, 1997 (modified)
   Jan 1992 (created)

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                           [33]Francis Heylighen: home page
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     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [37]Methodology for the Development of MSTT

   [38]Epistemology

   [39]Metaphysics

   [40]Systems Concepts

   [41]Principles of Systems and Cybernetics

   [42]Evolutionary Theory

   [43]Cybernetics

   [44]The Metasystem Transition

   [45]The History of Evolution

   [46]The Future of Humanity

   [47]Ethics

   [48]Foundation of Mathematics

   [49]Evolutionary cybernetics
   ____________________________________________________________________________

                                    [50]Discussion
     ____________________________________________________________________________

     * [51]basic theory of nothing, Comment by Tadeusz Bednarczuk
     * [52]Nobel Theory of Everything lacking in social relevance, Comment by Paul
       Bambury
     * [53]Quality and Quantity, comment by Georgi Georgiev
     * [54]Metasystem Artwork, Comment by Ben Swihart
     * [55]hohum???, Comment by adrian vdmeijden

                                  [56]Add comment...

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References

   1. LYNXIMGMAP:http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MSTT.html#PCP-header
   2. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MST.html
   3. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLUT.html
   4. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/WORLVIEW.html
   5. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ETERQUES.html
   6. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/METHODOL.html
   7. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EPISTEM.html
   8. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/METAPHYS.html
   9. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SYSCONC.html
  10. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CYBSPRIN.html
  11. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLUT.html
  12. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CONTROL.html
  13. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MST.html
  14. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HISTEVOL.html
  15. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/FUTEVOL.html
  16. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ETHICS.html
  17. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TURCBIO.html
  18. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/POSBOOK.html
  19. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0231046227/principiacyberneA/
  20. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MANIFESTO.html
  21. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/WFISSUE.html
  22. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/FOUNDMAT.html
  23. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/^PCPBIBLIO.html
  24. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/COPYR.html
  25. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/REFERPCP.html
  26. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/JOSLYN.html
  27. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html
  28. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TURCHIN.html
  29. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/DEFAULT.html
  30. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ORG.html
  31. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CONTR.html
  32. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/PEOPLE.html
  33. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HEYL.html
  34. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/DEFAULT.html
  35. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CONTEXT.html
  36. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLCYB.html
  37. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/METHODOL.html
  38. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EPISTEM.html
  39. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/METAPHYS.html
  40. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SYSCONC.html
  41. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CYBSPRIN.html
  42. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLUT.html
  43. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/CYBERN.html
  44. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MST.html
  45. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HISTEVOL.html
  46. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/FUTEVOL.html
  47. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ETHICS.html
  48. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/FOUNDMAT.html
  49. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLCYB.html
  50. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MAKANNOT.html
  51. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/MSTT.0.html
  52. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/MSTT.1.html
  53. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/MSTT.2.html
  54. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/MSTT.3.html
  55. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/Annotations/MSTT.4.html
  56. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/hypercard.acgi$annotform?

[USEMAP]
http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MSTT.html#PCP-header
   1. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/DEFAULT.html
   2. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/HOWWEB.html
   3. http://pcp.lanl.gov/MSTT.html
   4. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/MSTT.html
   5. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SERVER.html
   6. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/hypercard.acgi$randomlink?searchstring=.html
   7. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/RECENT.html
   8. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/TOC.html#MSTT
   9. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SEARCH.html