COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT WINTER QUARTER 1976/77 " CS 209 On Line Planning: Policy Design Through Scientific Analysis

Fernando Flores

This seminar will be an introduction to the study of cognitive systems in large organizations, enterprises, and governmental institutions using cybernetic analysis.

In this seminar we will attempt to introduce at Stanford the cybernetic tradition as it relates to the study of self-organizing systems. This tradition goes back to Wiener, McCulloch, Ashby, Von Foerster, Beer, and a few others. We will try to illustrate its uses through its application to the design of broad cognitive systems and to modern computer and communication technologies. We will deal with the applica- tion of cybernetics to complex industrial systems at the national level. Finally, an introduction to the bases of an experimental epistemology will be presented.

The main interest is to contrast this approach to others that are used for the same situations and to have each participant develop his work according to his interest and background. This seminar could be useful to students with interests in planning, procedures for policy formulation, communication in administrative systems, and implementation of analytic systems. In addition, it could be useful as an introduction " to an experimental epistemology and to cognitive cybernetics.

The seminar will meet once a week for a two-hour session. The student could take it for 1 to 3 units.

Organizational meeting: Thursday, January 6, 1977, 2:30-4:30, Polya 204

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Computer Science 209 - "On Line Planning! Policy Design Through " Scientific Analysis", Fernando Floras, Winter Quarter, 1977 I Knowledge and Scientific Knowledge

1. Postscipt in Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions 2nd. edition (enlarged), University of Chicago Press, 1970

2. Chapter 2 in Stafford Beer, Decision and Control, Wiley, 1966

References 1. I. Lakatos &A. Wusgrave (eds.), Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge . - tfJJU'f \Lo»^s %a»iL. 2. Karl Popper, Conjectures and Refutations

3. J. Habermas, Knowledoe and Human Interest 4. G. Rednitzky, Contemporary Schools of Wetasclance

5. J. Pieget, Sioloqie et Connaieeanoeionnaissam " 6. — , Loqjque et Conneissance Scientlfioue Ke^L.vTno* Q/f-ULtc (~*"t*)

" Implementation of and Business and II About Models Computer Systems in " Public Administration - Critical Assessment 1. Herbert Halbrecht et el., "Through ©Glass Darkly", Interfaces, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Aug., '72), pp. 1-17

2, Peter G, W. Keen, The Evolving Concept of Optlmalitv. Stanford Graduate School of Business, Research Paper No. 295, Jan., '76

3. Martin Greenberger et el., Models in the Policy Process. Sage, '76

References

Frederic C. Withington, "Five Generations of Computers"

Peter G. W. Keen, "Managing Organizational Change t The Role of MIS" , " "Interactive" Computer Systems for Managers: A Modest Proposal"

James L. McKenney A Peter G. W. Keen, "How Managers' Minds Work"

John Deerden, "Myth of Reel-Time Management Information"

Cyrus F. Gibson A John S. Hammond, "Contrasting Approaches for " Facilitating the Implementation of Management Science" Martin K. Starr, "The Politice of Management Science"

Richard L. Nolan, "Managing the Computer Resource I A Stage Hypothesis"

John L. Bennett, "Integrating Users and Decision Support Systems"

Chris Argyris, "Management Information Systems i The Challenge to Rationality and Emotionality"

C. Jackson Grayson, Jr., "Management Science and Business Practice" Milan Zeleny, "Managers Without Management Science?"

Weiss, "Eveluating Educational and Social Action Programs; A Treeful of Owls " Egon G. Guba, "The Failure of Educational Evaluation"

William K. Hall, "Strategic Planning Models i Are Top Managers Really Finding them Useful?"

Ida R. Hoos, Systems Analysis and Public Policy. Univ. of Cal. Press, '72 " » Syateme Analysis in Social Policy. lEA Res. Monograph 19, '69 " 111. Introduction to Cybernetics in Management Stefford Beer, "Homo Gubernetor" "Management in Cybernetic Terms" "The Cybernetic Cytoblasti Managsment Itsslf" "Managing Modern Complexity" "The Surrogate World We Manage"

in Platform for Change. Wiley, 1975

References

1. Heinz Von Foerster et el. (eds.), Cybernetics of Cybernetics. Biological Computer Laboratory, University of Illinois, 1974 2. Norbert Wiener, Cybernetics

3. W. Ross Ashby, Design for a Brain 4. — , Introduction to Cvbsrnetlcs 5. Klir A Valach, Cybernetic Modelling " 6. Stefford Beer, Cybernetics and Management. 1960 ?. — t Decision end Control. 1966 8. — » Brain of the Firm. 1972

" Cybernetic Management " IV in Chile 1. Stafford Beer, "Fanfare for Effective Freedom. Cybernetic Praxia in Government" in Platform for Change. Wiley, 1975

2. , "Cybernetics of National Development", Zaheer —Science Foundation, 1974

3. Hermann Schwember, "Project Cybersyn. An Experience with New Tools for Management in Chile, 1971-1973", prepared for publication in the book "Computer-Assisted Policy Analysis" (Hartmut Bossel, ed. | Basel, 1976) 4. Kenneth Wilson, "The Cybernetics of Cognitive Processes", Biological Computer Laboratory, University of Illinois, 1974

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" V Tha Cybernetics of Cognitive Processes

Bio-psychological Foundations

Humbarto Maturana, Biology of Cognition, BCL Report No. 9.0

"Neurophysiology of Cognition" in Cognition. A multiple View. Paul Garvin (ed. ), Spartan Books, 1970

"The Organization of the Living i A Theory of the Living Organization", Int. J. Man-Machine Studies (1975), 7, pp. 313-332

William T. Powers, Behavior. The Control of Perception critique: B. F. Skinner, Beyond Freedom and Dignit

Ernat von Glaeerefeld, "Piaget and the Radioal Constructivist Epistemology"

Gregory Bateson, Sta n Ecology of

" Epistemology Humberto Meturana, "Cognitive Strategies

Heinz Von Foerster, "On Constructing A Reality"

, "The Perception of the Future end the Future of Perception"

, "An Epistemology for Lining Things"

, "Thoughts and Notes on Cognition" in Cognitioni A Multiple View. Paul Garvin (ed.), Spartan Books, 1970

Francisco Varela, "On Observing Natural Systems" "Not One - Not Two" , "Arithmetic Of Closure"

Berger A Luckman, The Social Construction of Reel, " Etzloni, The Active Society " Advanced References

Gordon Pask, Conversation, Cognition and Learning, Elssvier, 1975

, Conversation Theory: Applications in Education and Epistemology. forthcoming, Elsevier

also references on natural language and cognitive sociology, pending.

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