PROPOSITIONS ON CYBERNETICS AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION - IMPLICATIONS OF VON FOERSTERS NONTRIVIAL MACHINE FOR KNOWLEDGE PROCESSES

Heinz von Foerster's distinction between trivial and non-trivial machi nes is extended by identifying three types of non-trivial machine. The se distinctions are used to weave together 19 propositions on cybernet ics and social transformation. The propositions offer a foundation for research on knowledge processes and the technology of knowledge. This research is characterized by questions that von Foerster has referred to as 'undecidable questions': questions which only we can decide; an d the propositions are stated in such a way as to emphasize that. It i s suggested that everyone has the ability to participate in social tra nsformation and that cybernetics points to an opportunity to do so in a particular way. Heinz von Foerster, through both his work and his pe rsona, has made this perspective possible.