Boundaries

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Boundaries are a key issue in [[Niklas Luhmann]]’s systems theory. Particularly with the transition from closed and statistic to open and dynamic systems (Gren, 2003). The question that arise is how it is possible to distinguish a [[autopoietic]] system from its environment. The answer is that those systems can establish boundaries that distinguish them from their environment (Maturana and Varela, 1987 in Gren, 2003). A system in this way reproduces its own boundaries as a selection of possibilities (meanings) that are open for a system, selected from a surplus of possibilities offered by the environment (Noe, 2006). Boundaries do have another meaning to Luhmann’s systems. Namely in combination with space. He sees space as a sharp boundary that locates everything either on the one side or on the other (Gren, 2003). '''References''' Gren, M. & Zierhofer, W. (2003) The unity of difference: a critical appraisal of Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems in the context of corporeality and spatiality. In: Environment and Planning A. Vol. 35, pp. 615-630. Noe, E. & Alrøe, H.F. (2006). Combining Luhmann and Actor-Network Theory to See Farm Enterprises as Self-organizing Systems. In: Cybernetics & Human Knowing. Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 34-48. ''Published by Pauline van Heugten''

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