Principia Cybernetica Web

Cybernetics and Systems Science Compendia

One possible use for Principia Cybernetica is the movement towards a detailed encyclopedia of Cybernetics and Systems Science. There are a number of existing dictionaries, encyclopedias, databases, compilations, and source books (both electronically and traditionally published) that are relevant. From the perspective of general knowledge, [ADM52] is an excellent example of a traditional intellectual encyclopedia. It embodies a wealth of semantic and bibliographic richness, detailed development of many great ideas in intellectual history, and connections and cross-references among them. Other traditional encyclopedia projects include [GEWGOS75,KLU88] in mathematics, and [EDP67,FLA79] in philosophy.

In Cybernetics and Systems Science proper, many people have approached the general task of compiling large amounts of useful information. There have been efforts on the part of scholarly organizations, like the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS, formerly the Society for General Systems Research (SGSR)), to develop lists of terms and concepts held in common with Cybernetics and Systems Science. There are bibliographies of systems literature [TRRHOW84], at least four dictionaries of cybernetic terms [AM84,FRC91,KRK84,MUA68], and one encyclopedia of Systems Science [SIM87]. An important contribution is the large pamphlet Education in the Systems Sciences [SNB90], detailing a great deal of information about the whole nature of Cybernetics and Systems Science and how it is carried out around the world. [CLB84] includes a substantive glossary of systems terms. We should note the GENSYS project, directed by Len Troncale, which has an ambition similar to Principia Cybernetica.

Bibliography of Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Glossaries, Principiae, Manifestos, Textbooks, Histories, Sourcebooks, and Others Related to Cybernetics and Systems

  • [ABR88] Abraham, Ralph: (1988) "Mathematics and Evolution: A Manifesto", World Futures, v. 23, pp. 237-261

  • [ADM52] Adler, MJ: (1952) Synopticon of Great Books, Encyclopedia Brit., Chicago

  • [AM84] American Society for Cybernetics: (1984) Glossary on Cybernetics and Systems Theory, ASC, GWU, Washington

  • [ASR56] Ashby, Ross: (1956) Introduction to Cybernetics, Methuen, London

    {A classic; still the finest introductory book on cybernetics and systems theory. Includes problem sets, examples, and diagrams.}

  • [ATMBAF89] Atkinson, M, and Bancilhon, F, et al.: (1989) "Object-Oriented Database System Manifesto", in: Proc. Deductive & OO Databases, Kyoto

  • [BIPDAM] Bishop, Peter, and Darton, Michael eds.: Enyclopedia of the World's Faiths

  • [BOA80] Bogdanov, A.: (1980) Essays in Tektology, Intersystems

    {Translation of historical foundation of systems science.}

  • [BRSE] Brohnstein and Semendyave: Handbook of Mathematics

  • [BRG72] Brown, GS: (1972) Laws of Form, Julian Press, New York

    {Philosophy of and notational system for propositional logic. Basis for a whole school of graphical approaches to classical logic.}

  • [CAR79a] Cavallo, Roger E: (1979) "Systems Research Movement", SGSR Bulletin, v. 9:3

    {Primer on Systems Science.}

  • [CHM88] Char, MBS: (1988) "Cybernetic Principle", Cybernetica, v. 31:2, pp. 97-98

  • [CLB84] Clemson, Barry: (1984) Cybernetics: A New Management Tool, Abacus Press, Kent

    {Guide to the theory and practice of management cybernetics, based on Beer. Includes extensive glossary.}

  • [COJ77b] Cornacchio, Joseph V: (1977) "Systems Complexity: A Bibliography", Int. J. Gen. Sys., v. 3, pp. 267-271

  • [DET59] De Chardin, Teilhard: (1959) Phenomenon of Man, Harper and Row, New York

    {Early systemic evolutionary theology.}

  • [EDP67] Edwards, Paul ed.: (1967) Encyclopedia of Philosophy, v. 1-8, MacMillan, New York

  • EN] : Images Encyclopedia, Enterprise Publisher, Des Plaines IL

    {Computer database encyclopedia of iconic symbols.}

  • [FLA79] Flew, Antony ed.: (1979) Dictionary of Philosophy, Pan Books, London

  • [FRC91] Franc cois, C: (1991) General Systems Theory and Cybernetics Dictionary

  • [GEWGOS75] Gellert, W, and Gottwald, S et al. eds.: (1975) Concise Encyclopedia of Mathematics, Van Nostrand, New York

  • [GLV66] Glushkov, VM: (1966) Introduction to Cybernetics, Academic Press, New York

    {Excellent book on cybernetics, translated from Russian.}

  • [KLG69] Klir, George: (1969) Approach to General Systems Theory, van Nostrand, New York

    {An early book that describes the nucleus of what is known now as the General Systems Problem Solver: a general framework, or language, for systems science.}

  • [KLG91a] Klir, George: (1991) Facets of Systems Science, Plenum, New York

    {Textbook and essay collection for a first Systems Science course.}

  • [KLU88] : (1988) Encyclopedia of Mathematics, Kluwer, Hingham MA

  • [KRK86] Krippendorf, Klaus: (1986) Dictionary of Cybernetics, available through ASC

  • [LAA76] Lacey, AR: (1976) Dictionary of Philosophy, Routledge, London

  • [MIHQUE85] Miser, HJ, and Quade, ES eds.: (1985) Handbook of Systems Analysis, North-Holland, New York

  • [MOG62] Moore, GE: (1962) Principia Ethica, Cambridge U Press, Cambridge

  • [MUA68] Müller, A ed.: (1968) Encyclopedia of Cybernetics, Manchester U. Press, Manchester UK

    {Translated from German by G. Gilbertson.}

  • [NEOCAR38] Neurath, Otto, and Carnap, R et. al.: (1938) International Encyclopedia of Unified Science, U. Chicago, Chicago

  • [PAJ88] Palmer, James D: (1988) "Review: Systems & Control Encyclopedia, edited by MG Singh", IEEE Trans. on Sys., Man and Cyb., v. 18:2, pp. 33

  • [PAV72] Parsegian, VL: (1972) This Cybernetic World, Doubleday, Garden City, NY

    {Survey of cybernetics.}

  • [PAG61] Pask, Gordon: (1961) Approach to Cybernetics, Harper & Brothers, New York

  • [RAA86] Rapoport, Anatol: (1986) General Systems Theory: Essential Concepts & Applications, Abacus, Cambridge

  • [SIM87] Singh, MG ed.: (1987) Systems and Control Encyclopedia, Pergamon, Oxford

    {Eight volumes, from the perspective of technical systems and control theory; also many excellent articles of a more general methodological and philosophical nature.}

  • [SNB90] Snow, Blain: (1990) Education in the Systems Sciences, Elmwood Institute, Berkeley CA

    {1st edition, Winter 1990, PO Box 5805, Berkeley CA 94705 USA. "Annotated Guide to Education and Research Opportunities in the Sciences of Complexity": degree-granting programs of study; societies, associations and organizations; directory of researchers; publications: periodicals and books; bibliography; keyword and cluster index; name index.}

  • [TRR83] Trappl, Robert ed.: (1983) Cybernetics: Theory and Applications, Hemisphere, Washington

    {Anthology of foundations of systems and cybernetics; review of applications; complete bibliography. Beer, Atlan, Pichler, Klir, Pask, Nowakowska, Arbib, Laszlo.}

  • [TRRHOW84] Trappl, Robert, and Horn, W, et. al. eds.: (1984) Basic and Applied General Systems Research, Int. Fed. Sys. Res., Laxenburg, Austria,

    {Bibliography from 1977-1984, Continuation of earlier bibliography compiled by Klir.}

  • [VOH49] von Foerster, Heinz ed.: (1949+) Transactions of the Macy Conferences on Cybernetics, v. 1-10, Josiah Macy Found., New York

  • [WEG75] Weinberg, Gerard M.: (1975) Introduction to General Systems Thinking, Wiley, New York

    {Excellent popular introduction to systems theories and principles.}

  • [WHARUB10] Whitehead, Alfred, and Russell, Bertrand: (1910) Principia Mathematica, v. 1-3, Cambridge U Press

  • [WHARUB62] Whitehead, Alfred, and Russell, Bertrand: (1962) Principia Mathematica to *56, Cambridge U Press

  • [WI79] : (1979) Citation Indexes, Wiley, New York

  • [WIN48] Wiener, Norbert: (1948) Cybernetics, MIT Press, Cambridge

    {First book on cybernetics from this master of the field.}

  • [ZUW89] Zurek, Wojciech: (1989) "Complexity, Entropy & the Physics of Information: A Manifesto", Sante Fe Institue, v. 4:1, pp. 26-29


Copyright© 1992 Principia Cybernetica - Referencing this page

Author
C. Joslyn,

Date
Jan 1992

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