Assignment 5: Koestler Terms

• Linear Structure

• Tree Structure

• Holon

• Holarchy

• Triggers, Filters

• Sensory-motor routines

• Feedback Loops

• Homeostasis

• Janus Effect

Linear Structure

A chain-like organization where one type of action results in one response that can then produce another certain type of action that results in another response and so on. The chain links components of action and response in that manner until an activity is fully represented by the chain. Koestler maintains that all human activities can be reduced to a linear structure of this sort. (Koestler, 21).

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Tree Structure

An inverted tree used to represent multi-leveled, hierarchically ordered systems. The tree structure of organization can be found in a variety of systems such as governemnt organizations, the Library of Congress classification system, the classification of animals, and the structure of telephone systems. Each node in the tree structure branches off to sub-nodes, that branch off to other sub-nodes, and so on. The tree has the ability to grow and expand and is therefore not static but dynamic, flexible, and open-ended.

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Holon

A node in the the tree stucture. Demonstrates the Janus Effect. It stems from the greek holos meaning "whole" and on meaning part or particle. Thus key characteristics of a holon include that it asserts its individuality in order to maintain the set order in the tree structure but it also submits to the demands of the whole tree structure in order to make the system viable. A holon is defined by the function or task assigned to it. (Capra)

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Holarchy

A dynamic system consisting of interacting holons that serves the purpose of achieving specified goals. A holarchy is characterized by:

• Bi-directionality:A holarchy has both sensory and motor routines. Each holon can recieve a signal or message from a holon at the level above it and execute an action in response to it. It can also send a signal or message commanding a holon at the level below it to execute an action. The general scheme are messages flowing both "up" the holarchy and "down" it.
• Unique level behaviour:A holon at one level is not necessarily the "sum" of its subordinates. Each holon is an indiviual so that the characteristics of holons at one level are not representative of the characteristics of level above them. Each level has its own rules and strategies that constitute its behaviour. Rules place fixed boundaries on the holon capabilities while strategies are flexible since the holon has control of what action it will take to satisfy the requirements of a command it has received. The further down the holarchy, the more mechanized, stereotyped, and predicatable the beavior. Higher level holons have more flexibility and function at a more abstract state.
• Flexibility:Holarchies are not rigid structures. They allow modification and adaptability. A holon can be part of multiple holarchies. One holarchy can be dissected so that a holon that was positioned at a lowere level of the original holarchy is placed at a higher level in a new holarchy.
• Open-endedness:The top and bottom of a holarchy are not absolute. A holarchy can be augmented or interwoven with another holarchy.

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Triggers, Filters

A trigger is a mechanism that, upon the arrival of a control message, causes the execution of pre-defined action. They are useful during the "downward" travel of information in a hoalrchy. Incoming, abstract commands are interpreted by triggers so that a detailed course of action is taken. A filter is used to analyze, condense, and abstract sensory messages. Complex messages are transformed by the filter into more general, meaningful messages for the holons in the level above it.

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Sensory-motor routines

The process that absorbs information from a system's environment and transforms it into signals that the system uses to react and adapt to its surroundings. The sensory side of the routine processes the information and sends it to the control center that makes the system's decisions. Information is filtered through as it ascends the sensory routine. Detailed information from lower levels of a system are generalized to better suit the requirements of higher levels. After the control center interprets the information from the sensory routine, it executes the motor process that sends "commanding" information to the system's components notifying them that they need to take action for the system to interact with its environment. As information works its way down the system holarchy via the motor routine, it becomes more specific so that lower holons receive explicit commands that are within the domain of their capabilities.

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Feedback Loops

The relay of information describing the state of the system from lower nodes to upper level nodes for the intended purpose of allowing the control center to adjust the system state as needed. It takes the form of a loop when viewing information flow since commands are sent to lower nodes for the execution of actions. The lower nodes monitor the effect of the actions on the system or environment and provide feedback by reporting their findings back to the command center thereby completing the loop.

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Homeostasis

A built-in, automated property of a system that executes and monitors events essential to the existance of the system, such as animal breathing and instinct. It is a self-regulating mechanism that allows a system to avoid paying detailed attention to its most basic functions therby helping keep it in a steady state.

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Janus Effect

Janus was a Roman god with two faces; one looking forward and the other looking back. The Janus Effect is a fundamental characteristic of an entity that possesses the ability to interact with others in both authoritative and dependence roles.