The Cybernetic ‘General Model Theory’: Unifying Science or Epistemic Change?

摘要

With the marginalization of cybernetics, efforts to develop a universal epistemologicalrnmethod ceased as well. But the question remains open as to whetherrncybernetics contributed to the reconceptualization of the model and the popularityrnof scientific modeling since the mid-twentieth century. The present studyrnapproaches this question using the example of the general model theory of thernGerman cyberneticist Herbert Stachowiak. Although this theory failed to producerna unifying and common model concept, its characteristics point toward arnchange in epistemological positions that is important for today’s scientific practicernand also anticipated recent developments in the philosophy of science.