Self-Organization and Society

ISBN-13: 9784431779193 / Angielski / Twarda / 2008 / 238 str.

Takatoshi Imada

Opis

Self-organization is a generic term describing the capacity of a system to change its own structure by itself while interacting with the environment. In this sense, self-organization is not environment-determined or environment-adaptive, but is self-determined and self-adaptive. The concept of self-organization was born in the 1960s, and attempts were made to establish a theory based on the logic of a system and its control. In contrast, the 1980s introduced a view based on the logic of creative individuals and on fluctuations. Antithetical differences exist between the two. The former regards the system of aggregated individuals as the object of consideration, where self-organization is the sum of the practices of a system led by control, or self-control in particular. The latter focuses on the practices of individuals deviating from the logic of a system, making the existing system fluctuate and transforming its structure. This volume attempts to integrate these viewpoints through inquiry into the structure of the self and through self-reflexion. A new horizon thus opens for the synthesis of planning/control action theory and spontaneous/performative action theory.

Spis treści

Preface to the Original Japanese Edition Acknowledgments for the English Edition On the Composition of This Book List of Tables and Figures Introduction Scope of the Self-Organization Theory 1 What is Self-Organization? 2 Cybernetic Self-Organization 3 Synergetic Self-Organization 4 Horizon of the Self-Organization Theory Part I Origin of the Self-Organization Theory: Control and Social Development Chapter 1 From Social Change to Self-Organization 1 Formation of Systems Paradigm 2 Social Change and Concept of Structure 3 System Analysis of Social Change 4 Toward the Self-Organization Theory Chapter 2 Principles of Self-Organization and the Theory of Social Development 1 What is Social Development? 2 Basic Logic of Self-Organization 3 Structure and Control of Social System 4 Conditions for Social Development and Adaptive Control 5 Application to the Theory of Social Planning Part II Elaboration of the Self-Organization Theory: Metamorphosing of System and Individual Chapter 3 Signification and Reflexive System 1 Linguistic and Semantic Turn in Social Theory 2 Reflexion and Scientific View 3 Theory of Reflexive System 4 Language Game and Self-Organization Chapter 4 Self-Organization and Postmodernity 1 Fluctuation of Modernity 2 Metamorphosis of Society 3 Identity and Self-Organization: Transformation of Self-Image 4 Self in Chaos 5 Toward a Theory of Postmodern Identity 6 Reflexion Thought Part III Development of the Self-Organization Theory: Deconstruction of the Society Chapter 5 Beyond Network Theory 1 Admiration of Network? 2 Rhizome Theory and Self-Organization 3 Anticontrol Type of Self-Organization: A Case Study of the Kobe Steelers Rugby Team Chapter 6 Toward a Support-based Social System 1 Decontrol and Increasing Support Activities 2 The Theory of Support 3 Some Cases of the Support 4 Opening Publicness from Support End Notes Bibliography Author Index Subject Index