This thinker’s application of autopoiesis, or self-creation, to his systems theory was controversial for its alleged abuse of scientific terminology. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this author of Theory of Society. This German author developed a sociologically oriented systems theory that analyzes the role of, and disturbances in, communication in social organizations.
ANSWER: Niklas Luhmann (“LOO-mahn”)
[10m] Luhmann’s systems theory was influenced by this transdisciplinary field led by Norbert Wiener and Gregory Bateson. This field studies feedback systems where outputs also serve as inputs.
ANSWER: cybernetics
[10e] Luhmann wrote a “sociological theory” of this concept in an analysis of unexpected situations. In economics, people fearful of uncertain outcomes have an “aversion” to this concept.
ANSWER: risk [prompt on volatility or beta]
<Arizona State, Social Science>