may be complex without being able to be replaced by something "still more simple". This became evident with the help of computer models of deterministic-recursive systems in which simple mathematical equation systems provide an extremely complex behavior. (2) Irregularity of nature is not treated as an anomaly but becomes the focus of research and thus is declared to be normal. One looks for regularity within irregularity. Non-equilibrium processes are recognized as the source of order and the search for equilibrium is replaced by the search for the dynamics of processes. (3) The classical system-environment model, according to which the adaptation of a system to its environment is controlled externally and according to which the adaptation of the system occurs in the course of a learning process, is replaced by a model of systemic closure. This closure is operational in so far as the effects produced by the system are the causes for the maintenance of systemic organization. If there is sufficient complexity, the systems perform internal self-observation and exert self-control ("Cognition" as understood by Maturana as self-perception and self-limitation, e. g. , that of a cell vis-a. -vis its environment). 22 But any information a system provides on its environment is a system-internal construct. The "reference to the other" is merely a special case of "self-reference". The social sciences frequently have suffered from the careless way in which scientific ideas and models have been transferred.

The fundamental question of whether, or in what sense, science informs us about the real world has pervaded the history of thought since antiquity. Is what science tells us about the world determined unambiguously by facts, or does the content of any scientific theory in some way depend on the human condition? "Sokal s hoax" attacked the mere seriousness of post-modern views of science and shifted this controversial debate to a new level, which very quickly came to be known as "Science Wars."

"Knowledge and the World" examines and reviews the broad range of philosophical positions on this issue, extending from realism to relativism, to expound the epistemic merit of t science, and to tackle the central question: in what sense can science justifiably claim to provide a truthful portrait of reality? Challenges beyond the Science Wars are taken up by contributions of scientists, sociologists and philosophers of science, which connect perspectives of a wide variety of disciplines (including biology and cultural studies). This book addresses everyone interested in the philosophy and history of science, and in particular in the interplay between the social and natural sciences.

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This book examines the historical roots and evolution of simulation from an epistemological, institutional and technical perspective. Rich case studies go far beyond documentation of simulation 's capacity for application in many domains; they also explore the "functional" and "structural" debate that continues to traverse simulation thought and action. This book is an essential contribution to the assessment of simulation as scientific instrument.

The fundamental question of whether, or in what sense, science informs us about the real world has pervaded the history of thought since antiquity. Is what science tells us about the world determined unambiguously by facts, or does the content of any scientific theory in some way depend on the human condition? "Sokal s hoax" attacked the mere seriousness of post-modern views of science and shifted this controversial debate to a new level, which very quickly came to be known as "Science Wars."

"Knowledge and the World" examines and reviews the broad range of philosophical positions on this issue, extending from realism to relativism, to expound the epistemic merit of t science, and to tackle the central question: in what sense can science justifiably claim to provide a truthful portrait of reality? Challenges beyond the Science Wars are taken up by contributions of scientists, sociologists and philosophers of science, which connect perspectives of a wide variety of disciplines (including biology and cultural studies). This book addresses everyone interested in the philosophy and history of science, and in particular in the interplay between the social and natural sciences.

"

may be complex without being able to be replaced by something "still more simple". This became evident with the help of computer models of deterministic-recursive systems in which simple mathematical equation systems provide an extremely complex behavior. (2) Irregularity of nature is not treated as an anomaly but becomes the focus of research and thus is declared to be normal. One looks for regularity within irregularity. Non-equilibrium processes are recognized as the source of order and the search for equilibrium is replaced by the search for the dynamics of processes. (3) The classical system-environment model, according to which the adaptation of a system to its environment is controlled externally and according to which the adaptation of the system occurs in the course of a learning process, is replaced by a model of systemic closure. This closure is operational in so far as the effects produced by the system are the causes for the maintenance of systemic organization. If there is sufficient complexity, the systems perform internal self-observation and exert self-control ("Cognition" as understood by Maturana as self-perception and self-limitation, e. g. , that of a cell vis-a. -vis its environment). 22 But any information a system provides on its environment is a system-internal construct. The "reference to the other" is merely a special case of "self-reference". The social sciences frequently have suffered from the careless way in which scientific ideas and models have been transferred.

Wolfgang Krohn, Giinter Kiippers Selbstorganisation steht heute als umfassender Begriff fUr eine Reihe von Konzepten, die unter verschiedenen Namen wie Synergetik, Autopoiese, dissipative Strukturen, selbstreferente Systeme eines gemeinsam haben: die Bemiihung urn die Beschreibung und das Verstiindnis des Verhaltens komple- xer, dynamischer Systeme. In der Physik etwa geht es urn die Erkliirung von Strukturbildung (hydrodynamische Konvektionsstromung) oder kohiirentem Verhalten (Laser). Die Chemie untersucht die Entstehung riiumlicher und/oder zeitlicher Strukturen in chemischen Reaktionen; im Grenzgebiet zwischen Chemie und Biologie studiert man die Entstehung und Entwicklung hochkom- plexer organischer Molekiile und versucht die Entstehung biologischer Information in einer priibiotischen Welt zu verstehen. Von der Neurophysiolo- gie bis hin zur Okologie werden in der Biologie Phiinomene der Ontogenese und der Phylogenese untersucht, urn zu verstehen wie aus Einfachem Komplexes entstehen kann. Die Bemiihungen der Humanwissenschaften urn ein Verstiind- nis der Genese und Entwicklung von Sprache, Kultur und Zivilisation soU die Liste der Beispiele abschlie. Ben. In den 60er und friihen 70er Jahren wurden in verschiedenen Disziplinen zuniichst unabhiingig voneinander die Grundlagen hierfiir entwickelt. Man versuchte die Entstehung von Ordnung und deren Ausdifferenzierung in immer komplexere Strukturen ansatzweise zu beschreiben. Erst Mitte der 70er Jahre wurde die enge Verwandtschaft der Konzepte nicht nur beziiglich der gemeinsamen FragesteUung, sondern auch im Hinblick auf wichtige Grundbe- griffen und Formalismen entdeckt und es kam zu ihrer transdiszipliniiren Vernetzung, zu einem heute fast aUe Disziplinen umfassenden Forschungspro- gramm der SelbstorganisatioD.