Understanding Systems: Conversations on Epistemology and Ethics

by Bernhard Poerksen

How real is reality? Are our images of the world mere inventions, or does an external reality correspond to them? Is it possible to know truth? These are the questions that physicist and philosopher Heinz von Foerster and journalist Bernhard Poerksen debate about in their conversations. Together, they explore the borders of our capacity for knowledge. They discuss the seeming objectivity of our sensual perception, the consequences of "truth terrorism" and the connections between knowledge and ethics, sight and insight. How real is reality? Are our images of the world mere inventions, or does an external reality correspond to them? Is it possible to know truth? These are the questions that physicist and philosopher Heinz von Foerster and journalist Bernhard Poerksen debate about in their conversations. Together, they explore the borders of our capacity for knowledge. They discuss the seeming objectivity of our sensual perception, the consequences of "truth terrorism" and the connections between knowledge and ethics, sight and insight.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Bernhard Pörksen studied German language and literature, journalism and biology in Hamburg. At the invitation of Ivan Illich he spent several research periods at Pennsylvania State University. Between 1996 and 1997, he worked both as a freelance journalist and as a voluntary editorial staff member of a newspaper.

Reviews

[Christian Moore-Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very interested in cybernetics, systems theory, and enactive cognitive science. I'm also interested in von Foerster. This book is very readable as it is in a conversation format. Poersken does a fantastic job of provoking von Foerster to explain himself clearly. The result is a fascinating journey through many ideas that emerge between both conversants. Something I'll have to read again.