Changes

==1.  Background==

==1.  Background==

In my aim to connect the enterprises of systems theory and artificial intelligence I recognize the following facts. Although the control systems approach was a prevailing one in the early years of cybernetics and important tributaries of AI have sprung from its sources, e.g. (Ashby, 1956), (Arbib, 1964, '72, '87, '89), (Albus, 1981), the two disciplines have been pursuing their separate evolutions for many years now. The intended scope of AI, overly ambitious or otherwise, forced it to break free of early bonds, shifting for itself beyond the orbit of its initial paradigms and the cases that conditioned its origin.

In my aim to connect the enterprises of systems theory

and artificial intelligence I recognize the following facts.

Although the control systems approach was a prevailing one

in the early years of cybernetics and important tributaries

of AI have sprung from its sources, e.g. (Ashby, 1956), (Arbib,

1964, '72, '87, '89), (Albus, 1981), the two disciplines have

been pursuing their separate evolutions for many years now.

The intended scope of AI, overly ambitious or otherwise, forced it

to break free of early bonds, shifting for itself beyond the orbit

of its initial paradigms and the cases that conditioned its origin.

A sample of materials from transition phases of AI's developmental crises may

A sample of materials from transition phases of AI's developmental crises may be found in (Shannon & McCarthy, 1956), (Wiener, 1961, 1964), (Sayre & Crosson, 1963), (Young, 1964, 1978), (McCulloch, 1965), (Cherry, 1966), (MacKay, 1969). Any project to resolder the spun-off domains of AI and systems theory will probably resort to a similar flux.  In the course of this investigation it was surprising at first to see these old issues rise again, but the shock has turned to recognition.  A motion to reinstate thought with action, to amalgamate intelligence with dynamics in the medium of a computational reconstruction, will naturally revert to the neighborhoods of former insights and ride the transits of formative ideas.  It is only to be expected that this essay will run across many of the most intersected rights-of-way, if not traveling down and tripping over the very same ruts, then very likely switching onto any number of parallel tracks.

be found in (Shannon & McCarthy, 1956), (Wiener, 1961, 1964), (Sayre & Crosson,

1963), (Young, 1964, 1978), (McCulloch, 1965), (Cherry, 1966), (MacKay, 1969).

Any project to resolder the spun-off domains of AI and systems theory will

probably resort to a similar flux.  In the course of this investigation it

was surprising at first to see these old issues rise again, but the shock

has turned to recognition.  A motion to reinstate thought with action, to

amalgamate intelligence with dynamics in the medium of a computational

reconstruction, will naturally revert to the neighborhoods of former

insights and ride the transits of formative ideas.  It is only to be

expected that this essay will run across many of the most intersected

rights-of-way, if not traveling down and tripping over the very same

ruts, then very likely switching onto any number of parallel tracks.

Informed observers may see good reasons for maintaining the separation

Informed observers may see good reasons for maintaining the separation of perspectives between AI and systems theory.  However, the proposition that these two realms share a common fund of theory and practice, not only historically but one that demands and deserves a future development, is an assertion that motivates my efforts here.  Consequently, I thought that a justification of my objectives might be warranted.  In light of these facts I have written up this extended rationale and informal review of literature, in hopes of making a plausible case for attempting this work.

of perspectives between AI and systems theory.  However, the proposition

that these two realms share a common fund of theory and practice, not only

historically but one that demands and deserves a future development, is an

assertion that motivates my efforts here.  Consequently, I thought that

a justification of my objectives might be warranted.  In light of these

facts I have written up this extended rationale and informal review of

literature, in hopes of making a plausible case for attempting this work.

Rudiments and Horizons

'''Rudiments and Horizons'''

There are harvests of complexity which sprout from the earliest elements

There are harvests of complexity which sprout from the earliest elements and the simplest levels of the discussion that follows.  I will try to clarify a few of these issues in the process of fixing terminology. This may create an impression of making much ado about nothing, but it is a good idea in computational modeling to forge connections between the complex, the subtle, and the simple -- even to the point of forcing things a bit.  Further, I will use this space to profile the character and the consistency of the grounds being tended by systems theory and AI.  Finally, I will let myself be free to mention features of this work that connect with the broader horizons of human cultivation.  Although these concerns are properly outside the range of my next few steps, I believe that it is important to be aware of our bearings: to know what our practice depends upon, to think what our activity impacts upon.

and the simplest levels of the discussion that follows.  I will try to

clarify a few of these issues in the process of fixing terminology.

This may create an impression of making much ado about nothing, but

it is a good idea in computational modeling to forge connections

between the complex, the subtle, and the simple -- even to the

point of forcing things a bit.  Further, I will use this space

to profile the character and the consistency of the grounds

being tended by systems theory and AI.  Finally, I will let

myself be free to mention features of this work that connect

with the broader horizons of human cultivation.  Although these

concerns are properly outside the range of my next few steps,

I believe that it is important to be aware of our bearings:

to know what our practice depends upon, to think what our

activity impacts upon.

1.1  Topos:  Rudiments and Immediate Resources

===1.1  Topos:  Rudiments and Immediate Resources===

This inquiry is guided by two questions that express themselves in

This inquiry is guided by two questions that express themselves in

many different guises.  In their most laconic and provocative style,

many different guises.  In their most laconic and provocative style,