Autonomy of social(sub) systems

From Geography

“Psychic and social systems, unlike machines and organisms, can be characterized by their use of meaning” (Luhmann, 1995, p. 3), they cannot exist without organisms and other material systems. At this level of analysis each type of system is autonomous. An organism is not a part of a psychic system, and a social system does not consist of psychic systems. Because these kinds of systems are operationally closed, they exist only as environments for each other. As a result of Luhmann’s specific sociological concerns, a social system is differentiated into interactions, organisations and societies.

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References

Luhmann, N. (1995) Social systems Standford: Standford university press; Gren, M & Zierhofer, W. (2003) Environment and planning Great Britain: Pion publication

Published by Mike van der Linden and Paul Cuijpers