Cybernetics 3
The Science of Human Acts
The Philosophy of Time & Human Acts
written by Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
The Third Generation of Cybernetics
Cybernetics 3 represents a significant advancement in cybernetic thought, marking a third generation in this field of study. Traditional cybernetics, in its first-order form, concentrated on observed systems, analyzing their feedback loops and control mechanisms in a detached, objective way. Second-order cybernetics emerged to acknowledge the crucial role of the observer, recognizing that observation itself influences the system being studied. This introduced subjectivity and reflexivity into cybernetic analysis. Cybernetics 3 builds upon these foundations but goes further. Human action is not simply an external influence but an integral part of the systems we study. It defines life as an emergent process driven by dynamic organizational forces, where human actions play a crucial role in shaping these forces. This shift in perspective, from observing and influencing to actively participating and co-creating, characterizes the third generation of cybernetics.
A central concept within Cybernetics 3 is Levitating Organizational Resonance (LOR). LOR describes a state of structured complexity that arises from the superposition and interaction of multiple, seemingly incompatible possibilities. This "levitation" refers to the ability of a system to maintain a complex organization by dynamically balancing these diverse possibilities. Beyond LOR, Cybernetics 3 introduces several other key concepts that offer new perspectives on life. "N-freeness" explores the degrees of freedom available to a system, acknowledging that not all possibilities are equally accessible or relevant. "Derailment" describes the potential for systems to deviate from expected pathways, highlighting the role of chance and contingency in evolution. These concepts, including n-freeness, derailment, and the rejection of the observer-observed divide, provide a richer understanding of life's adaptability and evolution, operating across scales from the molecular level to entire ecosystems. They allow us to analyze how living systems respond to change, explore new possibilities, and co-evolve with their environments, including the human-influenced environment. Cybernetics 3, as the science of order generated by human acts (both physical and mental), explores the interplay between this human-created order (negentropy) and the inherent disorder of the universe (entropy). At its core, it seeks to describe, classify, and measure all forms of human action, providing a comprehensive lens for analyzing the dynamic organizational forces shaping life.
Human Acts in Time
Time plays a crucial role in understanding human action, especially when analyzing multiple acts within a shared context. Cybernetics 3 draws upon the philosophical work of John McTaggart, particularly his distinction between two fundamental ways of conceptualizing time: the A-series and the B-series. The A-series describes time as a flow, marked by the subjective experience of "past," "present," and "future." The B-series, on the other hand, focuses on objective chronological order, using relational terms like "earlier than" and "later than." By situating human acts within these temporal frameworks, Cybernetics 3 gains a deeper understanding of their nature, their interrelationships, and the degrees of freedom they entail.
The Freedom of Acts in B-Series Time
Within the B-series framework, which emphasizes chronological order, human acts are considered "fixed" in their temporal relationships. If Act X precedes Act Z, for example, this ordering remains constant. This fixedness allows Cybernetics 3 to classify acts based on their degrees of freedom relative to preceding actions. Mechanic acts exhibit an absolute lack of freedom, rigidly determined by prior events. Ludic acts possess limited degrees of freedom, allowing for some flexibility within established constraints. Vital acts, in contrast, demonstrate absolute freedom, akin to the quantum phenomenon of superposition, which Cybernetics 3 refers to as "levitating organizational resonance." Cybernetics 3 initially prioritized the B-series framework to develop tools for measuring the organizational value generated by human actions, leading to foundational works such as The Informational Foundation of the Human Act (2018) and Whispers and Shouts (2020).
Transition to A-Series and the Polarization of Acts
In 2020, Cybernetics 3 expanded its framework by incorporating the A-series perspective, integrating principles from quantum physics to explore the concept of "polarization" in human acts (Flores Morador, F. (2021). El Hacedor y el Tiempo. Cibernetica 3.0. Volumen I: Polarizaciones, Flores Morador, F. (2022). El Hacedor y el Tiempo. Volumen II: Levitaciones). This new lens revealed that human actions, much like magnetic poles, interact according to mathematical rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This allowed for a refined classification of human acts into six fundamental types: Causative Acts (linking past and future, where the initiating agent also holds control); Independent Acts (focused solely on the Ego, polarizing towards either the past or future); Hodiern Acts (dictatorial acts confined to a perpetual present); Complementary Acts (a balanced dynamic between Ego and Other, polarizing towards the past); Parallel Acts (operating within an absolute, instantaneous present); and Curative Caring Acts (characterized by a shared distribution of control and initiative, exemplified by relationships like teacher-student).
Complementary Acts as a Paradigm
Complementary acts offer a compelling model for understanding the polarization of human actions. A clear example is the "writing-reading" dyad. The act of writing is polarized toward the future, anticipating and aiming at the act of reading. Conversely, reading is polarized towards the past, grounded in the prior act of writing. While both acts involve the same object—a text, for instance—their nature and impact differ significantly. The written text transforms, transitioning from a physical object to a "mentalized" one within the reader's mind. This illustrates the non-commutative property of complementary acts, a key concept for understanding action polarization.
Causation vs. Responsibility
In Cybernetics 3, the concepts of causation and responsibility are carefully distinguished. Causation, in this framework, is understood as a mechanistic process devoid of freedom—one event directly leads to another. However, responsibility operates within the realm of human action and interaction. Consider the act of publishing a book. The author's writing causes the book to exist. However, the author doesn't cause any specific individual to read it. Rather, the book, through its content and presentation, invites or attracts potential readers. This distinction highlights the difference between causation and responsibility within Cybernetics 3. Causation is mechanistic and lacks freedom, while responsibility, related to the interaction with the "attracted" reader, is a ludic concept involving varying degrees of freedom.
Homo Facer - The Performer of Human Acts
While the concept of homo faber highlights humanity's capacity for toolmaking, Cybernetics 3 introduces homo facer—the human as a performer of acts—to capture a broader understanding of human agency. This shift in perspective recognizes the inherent value of all human actions, both physical and mental, extending beyond the creation of tangible products. By studying homo facer, Cybernetics 3 provides a more complete framework for analyzing the transformative impact of human behavior.
Conclusion
Cybernetics 3 marks a significant evolution in our understanding of human action, moving beyond traditional approaches to embrace the dynamic interplay of time, freedom, and responsibility. Examining both the constrained and the emergent aspects of human behavior offers a framework for comprehending the complex possibilities of human agency within an interconnected universe.
To learn more about this, please visit https://sites.google.com/view/act-measurement/home
Theory of Knowledge
written by Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
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Descartes revealed the hidden doer behind "is" by employing the verb "to think" in the first person. Initially, one might believe that "to be" is not an act of doing, but this is incorrect. "To be" inherently implies "to think," and thinking is a form of doing. Furthermore, thinking and knowing emerge as complementary acts; one cannot exist without the other.
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To think a single thought is to acknowledge and transform the universe, including oneself within it. This acknowledgment is termed "intelligentizing the universe." Each thought, or presentation, alters the Organizational value (OV) of the universe and sets off "organizational waves" that irreversibly change its context.
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Thinking holds a distinct place among human actions. Acts such as seeing, hearing, and graphing are sensory-based and utilize physical properties like light, sound, and touch. These are spatial acts. Thinking, however, is "nonspatial," akin to "seeing with the mind," and involves a quality often associated with the "third eye" or "inner eye." René Descartes identified the pineal gland as the meeting point of body and soul, embodying this inner perception.
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Thinking requires neither naming, speaking, or writing, distinguishing it from linguistic acts. Naming focuses on an external object, whereas thinking turns inward, making itself the object of reflection. It acts like a reversible eye, allowing self-awareness. Thinking integrates both conscious actions and unconscious emotions and desires, making it pretemporal and elusive in its boundaries.
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Thinking allows one to perceive beyond physical appearances, uncovering deeper truths. It represents a form of "levitating organizational resonance" (LOR), where the distinction between thinking about an object and the object of thought blurs. This resonates with the idea: "I think, therefore I am," which extends to "I think, therefore I know."
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Presentations are distinct from messages. While communicative acts involve transporting information between points, presentations change the informational value of a scenario, affecting its entire context. This change in Organisational Value (OV= immediately impacts both the Ego and the Other, altering life itself.
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Thoughts, as manifestations of LOR, can be materialized when encapsulated into a "SHOUT." This process called the derailment of LOR, allows thoughts to be spoken, written, drawn, or acted upon. Conversely, SHOUTS can be dematerialized into thoughts, encapsulated as "WHISPERS," integrating actions back into LOR.
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Knowledge involves intelligentizing one’s surroundings by altering their Organisational Value (OV). For example, navigating a labyrinth might involve a cognitive trial-and-error approach. By assembling a decision tree, one integrates the object of inquiry with the method of exploration, thereby achieving knowledge.
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Beyond trial and error, intelligentizing involves riding an organizational wave that simultaneously "immerses" all possibilities within a given scenario. This wave-like approach surpasses step-by-step methods, providing a holistic perpective.
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The emergence of quantum computing has provided scientfic legitimacy to the concept of intelligentizing. Quantum vibrations illustrate how microscopic phenomena can manifest states of resonance, aligning with the principles of organizational waves and LOR.
More on Shouts & Whispers
Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
Introduction
Shouts and whispers are the language of the intertwined body and soul, influencing and shaping each other. While Western philosophy has traditionally separated acts of the body from acts of the soul—as illustrated in Plato's allegory of the cave—we argue for a more integrated perspective. Human actions are rarely, if ever, purely physical or purely mental. Instead, they represent a complex interplay between the embodied and the disembodied. This section explores this dynamic, introducing the concepts of material acts and spiritual acts as a framework for understanding the complexities of human behavior.
Material Acts and Spiritual Acts
Embodied (material) acts are the physical actions, the tangible behaviors we observe. They are rooted in the body and have a spatial dimension – they occur in a specific place and time. Examples include walking, talking, writing, building, or any other physical activity. Metaphorically we describe body-dominated acts as shouts. Shouts represent actions where the body takes the lead. These are often reactive, impulsive, and externally driven. They might be less considered, more instinctual, and potentially disruptive, like a sudden outburst of anger.
Disembodied (spiritual) acts encompass mental and emotional processes. Metaphorically we define these soul-dominated acts as whispers. They are less tangible, often internal, and might be considered non-spatial in the traditional sense. While they may not have a directly observable spatial location, they are nonetheless influenced by and can influence the physical world. Think of a carefully crafted plan or a deeply felt emotion expressed through art. Whispers include a range of intermediate acts such as thinking, feeling, reading, perceiving, crying, intuiting, reflecting, looking, remembering, informing, and asking. These acts represent reasoning and mental engagement. Whispers, therefore, are integral to the cognitive and emotional dimensions of human experience.
Encapsulation of Acting
Encapsulation of acting refers to the idea that shouts can be contained within whispers. For instance, while "walking" is a shout, "dreaming of walking" is a whisper that encapsulates this shouted act. This encapsulation is not a simple replacement, it is a transformation. The act of walking, a physical experience involving muscles, movement, and interaction with the environment, becomes a mental act within the dream. It is internal, subjective, and occurs within the realm of thought and imagination. It does not require physical movement in the same way. The dream of walking might be distorted, incomplete, or even fantastical. The dream might involve flying while walking, walking through walls, or walking with someone who is no longer alive. The essence of walking is there, but it's transformed by the context of the dream.
The encapsulation highlights the different levels of reality we experience. Waking reality is dominated by shouts – direct interactions with the physical world. The dream world is a domain of whispers, governed by the mind. But even within the whisper of a dream, shouts (like the imagined act of walking) can occur. The whisper could also carry a deeper meaning than the shout it encapsulates. It might represent a desire for freedom or an anxiety about moving forward in life. Whispers can influence and shape shouts. For example, our dreams and thoughts affect our actions in waking life. Our memories of past experiences might influence our present behavior. By understanding the relationship between shouts and whispers, and how shouts can be encapsulated within whispers, we gain a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of human behavior.
Materialized Whispers as Language
Whispers exist in the realm of thought and emotion – they are abstract and internal. Language, on the other hand, is a system of symbols and sounds that can be externalized and shared. Speaking, writing, and other forms of language act as the bridge between these two realms. They give form to the formless. Whispers become tangible and communicative through language-based actions, transforming into "whispers encapsulated in shouts." The physical act of singing encapsulates the emotions and thoughts (whispers) expressed in the lyrics and melody. The song itself becomes a materialized whisper, a tangible expression of inner feelings. A drawing expresses the artist’s vision, emotions, and ideas (whispers) in a visual form. Recognizing this process of materialization helps interpret human communication more deeply and reminds us that words are not just empty vessels; they carry the weight of the thoughts and feelings that inspired them.
Reflections on Book Whispers & Shouts (Volume 2)
Since their initial presentation in Whispers and Shouts: The Informational Measurement of the Human Act (Volume 2), which preceded the publication of El Hacedor y el Tiempo. Cibernética 3.0, Volume 1 (2021) & Levitaciones Volume 2 (2022), the concepts of 'shouts' and 'whispers' have been further developed and clarified. These clarifications include:
1. LOR and Derailment: Whispers enhance Organizational Resonance, whereas shouts and graphs disrupt it and turn into derailments.
2. Types of Acts: Some acts are egotic (self-focused, like solitary games), while others are social (interactive games involving two participants).
3. Measuring Whispers: Direct measurement of whispers, as examples of LOR, is problematic, as it induces derailment, akin to superposition and decoherence in quantum physics. Instead, whispers are analyzed indirectly through their materialized form as graphs. This measurement technique, detailed in Volume 2, allows for the analysis of whispers via their graphical representations.
Conclusion
The study of Shouts and Whispers provides a nuanced understanding of human actions, bridging the physical and mental, the tangible and intangible. By encapsulating these concepts within the framework of LOR, we gain deeper insights into the complexity of human behavior and its resonance within the organizational and existential planes.
Theory of Language
written by Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
Language, within the framework of Cybernetics 3.0, is a dynamic interplay between the timeless foundation of naming, the immediate expression of speech acts, and the mediating function of graphical acts. This tripartite structure allows language to serve as a powerful tool for human action, creativity, and the ongoing construction of meaning.
The LOR of Naming
At the foundation of language lies the LOR of Naming. LOR, or Levitating Organizational Resonance, represents a state of structured complexity where seemingly incongruent possibilities coexist and interact. In the context of language, the LOR of Naming refers to the underlying organizational structure that allows us to assign names to things, concepts, and experiences. This act of naming is not merely a labeling process but a fundamental act of creation, bringing order to the flux of experience. Crucially, the LOR of Naming operates beyond the constraints of linear time. It is "unhooked from time-passing," existing in a realm that can be considered eternal or timeless. This timelessness allows the LOR of Naming to serve as a stable foundation for the more dynamic aspects of language.
The Speech Act
In contrast to the timelessness of the LOR of Naming, the Speech Act is firmly rooted in the present moment. Speech acts are anchored in the "here and now," making them inherently "hodiern" (from the Latin hodie, meaning "today"). They are tied to the perpetual present, the immediate context of communication. Speech acts are the dynamic, embodied expressions of language, conveying meaning through vocalization, gesture, and other forms of immediate communication. They are the living embodiment of language, constantly adapting and evolving in response to the ever-changing present.
The Graphical Act
Bridging the gap between the eternal LOR of Naming and the temporal Speech Act is the Graphical Act. Graphical acts serve as an intermediary between the timeless realm of naming and the immediate present of speech. They encompass written language, symbols, and other forms of visual representation that capture and preserve meaning across time. By creating a record of language, graphical acts bridge multiple "artificial presents," allowing for the construction of feedback loops and the development of complex systems of meaning. This process of rationalization, facilitated by graphical acts, reflects the nature of logic as an interplay of intermediate acts, arising from the derailment or concretization of an LOR.
Speech as a Hodiern Act
Speech acts are "hodiern," tied to the immediacy of the moment. Unlike dialogue, which involves a back-and-forth exchange, speech is anchored in the present, requiring mnemonic retention for coherence. This "hodiern" nature makes speech one-polar, focused solely on the now. It bypasses negotiation, asserting itself directly into the "despotic present" with transgressive power. While speech can influence writing, its essence remains tied to the perpetual present.
Speech & Truth
Western tradition, from Plato to Rousseau, often privileges speech as a symbol of presence, reality, and truth, contrasting it with writing, which is associated with appearance and falsehood. 1 This tradition aligns with Derrida's observation that the "name" resonates with the thing itself, unified with its sound and mark.
Graphing
The act of writing creates an ambiguity between presence and absence. A text detaches itself from its author, making it impossible to determine its identity or even its existence. This detachment multiplies meanings, breaking the “here and now” of speech into possibilities of "here or there, now or then."
Intermediate Acts
Graphing introduces "intermediate acts" or "inter-acts" that unfold across multiple artificial presents, representing a negotiation between writer (Ego) and reader (Other). These acts lead to a parallel act where one potential present is chosen, creating contemporaneity. In contrast, speech's ephemeral nature limits its capacity for intermediate acts.
The Evolution of Language
Historically, illiterate societies were limited to the "despotic present" of speech. Writing enabled the separation of naming from speech, facilitating dialogue between Ego and Other across time.
Typology of Language
written by Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
Systematic Classification of Languages
Language, in its broadest sense, encompasses a range of communicative systems, each characterized by the presence or absence of these three fundamental components:
Naming: The ability to assign symbols or labels to concepts, objects, or experiences. This is the foundation of symbolic thought and allows for categorization and abstraction.
Speaking: The vocalized expression of language. This involves the physical act of producing sounds and combining them into meaningful units.
Graphing: The visual representation of language, including writing, drawing, and other forms of symbolic notation. This allows for the externalization and preservation of thought.
The 0/1 notation indicates the absence (0) or presence (1) of each component. Below is a typology of different language systems:
1-0-0: Conceptualization: This represents the earliest stage of language development, where naming occurs before speaking. It's the realm of pure thought, where concepts are formed and labeled internally, but not yet expressed outwardly. This could be considered pre-linguistic thought or the foundation upon which all other languages are built.
0-1-0: Pre-intentional Language: This is the language of early infancy. Babies can vocalize (speaking), but they haven't yet developed the ability to name or represent their thoughts graphically. Their vocalizations are often emotional expressions rather than symbolic communication.
0-0-1: Machine Language / Iconic Language: This type of language relies solely on graphing. Machine code, for example, uses symbolic notation to instruct computers. Iconic languages, like sign language or certain forms of visual art, also fall into this category, as they primarily use visual symbols for communication.
1-1-0: Animal Language / Human Archaic Language: Many animal communication systems involve naming (e.g., specific calls for different predators) and speaking (vocalizations), but they typically lack the capacity for graphing. Early forms of human language may have also fallen into this category before the development of writing systems.
0-1-1: Musical Language: Music combines speaking (through melody, rhythm, and timbre) and graphing (musical notation) but doesn't necessarily involve naming in the same way that other languages do. While music can evoke emotions and tell stories, it often does so without explicit symbolic labels for specific concepts.
1-0-1: Numerical / Mathematical Language: Mathematics relies heavily on naming (numbers, symbols for operations) and graphing (mathematical notation) but doesn't typically involve spoken language in the same way as other forms of communication. Mathematical formulas are a form of written language that expresses complex relationships.
1-1-1: Natural Language: This is the most complete form of language, encompassing all three components: naming, speaking, and graphing. Spoken and written human languages fall into this category.
0-0-0: LOR of Thought (Levitating Organizational Resonance): This represents pure thought, the pre-linguistic foundation from which all languages derive. It's the state of pure potential before language takes form. It is the most fundamental level, and as such, it cannot be directly observed or measured without influencing it.
Resonances and Derailments:
A Journey Through Life’s Metaphysics and Cultural Evolution
written by Fernando Flores Morador, Luis de Marcos Ortega & Carmen Flores Bjurström
The fourth derailment brings us to the origins of family structures. Internal fertilization necessitates negotiation, as copulation requires both contemporaneity and presence. This new level of resonance transforms the couple into a nucleus of collaboration. Yet, the family as a tripolar resonance—incorporating offspring as a distinct third element—is still nascent. For instance, while sea turtles leave their offspring as “orphans,” crocodiles and alligators exhibit maternal care, and penguins showcase monogamy and intense parental collaboration, offering a glimpse into early family behavior. From these foundations, the family evolves into a vehicle for cultural development, marking the fifth derailment. The family introduces the Superego, a construct that channels reproduction through prohibitions, such as the incest taboo. Culture begins to transcend biology, shaping itself as a goal rather than a byproduct of living. This cultural shift leads to the creation of systems that regulate sexuality and relationships, paving the way for societies governed by norms and ethical frameworks. The sixth derailment ushers in modernity, characterized by curative caring acts that redefine relationships. These acts, balancing control and initiative, echo the dynamics between teacher and student. The emergence of political and ethical systems reflects this evolution, with modernity departing from the culture of prohibitions and embracing acts of care and solidarity.
Finally, life undergoes organizational leaps, termed “mutations of doing,” as it transitions between different states of resonance. Hybrid beings, such as cyborgs, emerge as the culmination of these resonances and derailments. Incorporating both living and technological components, cyborgs symbolize a future where technology and biology are seamlessly intertwined. Examples such as in vitro fertilization, egg and sperm donation, and surrogacy demonstrate the disarticulation of traditional reproductive acts, reflecting the ultimate fusion of resonances in the modern era. Ultimately, the concept of resonances and derailments serves as a powerful perspective to examine life’s evolution—from its fundamental origins to the sophisticated interplay of culture and technology. Each derailment marks a significant turning point, highlighting the delicate equilibrium between order and chaos that drives the development of life and civilization.
The study of life has always fascinated philosophers and scientists alike, offering a spectrum of perspectives through which to examine its intricacies. In 1944, Erwin Schrödinger explored these complexities in his seminal work, What is Life?, introducing concepts such as negentropy—the principle of order—and entropy—the principle of disorder, drawn from the second law of thermodynamics. Schrödinger’s reflections on quantum superposition and entanglement inspired the idea of Levitating Organizational Resonance (LOR). This concept serves as an analogy to superposition in quantum physics, while its collapse, termed derailment, mirrors the process of quantum decoherence. At the intersection of order and disorder lies a delicate balance that shapes cultural phenomena. This balance, conceptualized as LOR, resembles a see-saw—an equilibrium point that symbolizes a resonance emerging from the interplay of negentropy and entropy. The origins of life itself, marked by an initial derailment, set the stage for a journey confronting entropy with the evolution of culture, progressively increasing in complexity and demanding the introduction of new theoretical frameworks.
The first derailment is epitomized by the process of asexual reproduction, such as cell division. This primordial manifestation of LOR occurs without the presence of an Ego, aligning instead with Freud’s concept of the id. Nature operates as the id, performing acts of negentropy that define what can be termed “living for the sake of living.” This causative existence, exemplified by the classic question of “the chicken or the egg,” unfolds through the resonance and derailment of natural acts. For instance, the dynamic interplay between sprout and plant—where each simultaneously serves as the cause of the other—illustrates the cyclical nature of these causative acts.
A second derailment occurs in the domain of sexual reproduction, introducing the act of waiting. Plants, for example, await pollination in a state of hope, anticipating the arrival of pollen carried by external agents such as wind or bees. This act of waiting polarizes toward the future, embedding the resonance in the framework of independent acts. Sexual reproduction brings about a novel complexity, where the proto-Ego resonates with a proto-Other, such as pollinators that facilitate pollen transfer. These acts are independent yet interdependent, forming the essence of this second derailment.
With the advent of animal life, a third derailment emerges, marked by the introduction of body movement and physical interaction. The Ego now asserts itself through the division of male and female roles in sexual reproduction, transitioning from vegetative acts to complementary acts. External fertilization exemplifies this, requiring simultaneous yet physically separated actions from male and female organisms. These complementary acts deepen into collaborative behaviors that serve as a prelude to more intricate relationships.