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Ethics and Second-Order
Cybernetics*
HEINZ VON FOERSTER
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am touched by the generosity of the organizers of this conference who
not only invited me to come to your glorious city of Paris, but also gave me
the honor of opening the Plenary sessions with my presentation. And I am
impressed by the ingenuity of the organizers who suggested to me the title
of my presentation. They wanted me to address myself to “Ethics and
Second-Order Cybernetics.” To be honest, I would have never dared to
propose such an outrageous title, but I must say that I am delighted that
this title was chosen for me.
Before I left California for Paris, others asked me full of envy, what am
I going to do in Paris, what will I talk about? When I answered “I shall talk
about Ethics and Second-Order Cybernetics” almost all of them looked at
me in bewilderment and asked, “What is second-order cybernetics?” as if
there were no questions about ethics. I am relieved when people ask me
about second-order cybernetics and not about ethics, because it is much
easier to talk about second-order cybernetics than it is to talk about ethics.
In fact it is impossible to talk about ethics. But let me explain that later,
and let me now say a few words about cybernetics, and of course, the cyber-
netics of cybernetics, or second-order cybernetics.
As you all know, cybernetics arises when effectors (say, a motor, an
engine, our muscles, etc.) are connected to a sensory organ which in turn
acts with its signals upon the effectors. It is this circular organization which
sets cybernetic systems apart from others that are not so organized. Here
is Norbert Wiener, who re-introduced the term “Cybernetics” into scientific
discourse. He observed, “The behavior of such systems may be interpreted
as directed toward the attainment of a goal.” That is, it looks as if these
systems pursued a purpose!
That sounds very bizarre indeed! But let me give you other paraphrases
of what cybernetics is all about by invoking the spirit of women and men who
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