Luhmann and Epistemology

摘要

In his development of an universal systems theory, Niklas Luhmann runs into a number of epistemological problems, above all the problem of the existence of the external world, the problem of other minds and the problem of paradoxes. These problems are not primarily treated as philosophical problems. Instead Luhmann, influenced by Quine and Maturana, develops a "natural" epistemology, where philosophical problems are observed as operations in social systems, which do not allow themselves to be blocked in their flow of operations. Instead of philosophical solutions Luhmann finds empirical-or sociological - solutions. Side by side with sophisticated constructivist and theory-laden descriptions of systems operations, Luhmann also resorts to everyday language and common sense, so that it is possible to find two epistemological tracks in Luhmann.