Cybernetic version of the interaction of society spheres

Authors

  • Sergey A. Shavel Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surhanava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

Keywords:

modeling, black box, positive feedback, negative feedback, congruence (similarity), analogy, algorithm, hierarchy, authority, symbolic means

Abstract

The article considers the interrelation of sociology and cybernetics and their increasing pervasion into each other. The contribution of cybernetics to sociological science can be seen in using a modeling process, the black box method, feedback and the intellectualisation of society. As far as the notion of intellect is concerned, the author described the sociological understanding of this phenomenon by distinguishing it from gnoseological and cybernetic interpretation. In the article the author develops Talcott Parsons’ concept about the symbolic and informational hierarchy of the society subsystems. While maintaining the very idea of hierarchy, his proposal is that the conceptual rationale offered for hierarchy can be used for the basic spheres of society. Accordingly, it helps to clarify some symbolic means of exchange and communication. It is noted that T. Parsons didn’t use the sphere approach in the theoretical analysis of society. There is some reason to believe that the main symbolic means should be considered trust, not a value obligation. Trust is a phenomenon which characterises not only interpersonal connections, but also attitudes towards social institutions – state and its bodies, education, health care, etc. It is advisable to replace power with authority.

Author Biography

  • Sergey A. Shavel, Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 1 Surhanava Street, 2 building, Minsk 220072, Belarus

    doctor of science (sociology), full professor; head of the department of social theory and methodology

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Published

2020-09-30

Issue

No. 3 (2020): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology

Section

To Know so that to Foresee...

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How to Cite

[1]
Shavel, S.A. 2020. Cybernetic version of the interaction of society spheres. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology. 3 (Sep. 2020), 4–19. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6821-2020-3-4-19.