bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integration of multiple neural classifiers for heart beat recognition
Authors: Tran Hoai Linh , Osowski Stanislaw 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis paper presents new approach to the integration of neural classifiers. Typically only the best trained network is chosen, while the rest is discarded. However, combining the trained networks helps to integrate the knowledge acquired by the component classifiers and in this way improves the accuracy of the final classification. The aim of the research is to develop and compare the methods of combining neural classifiers of the heart beat recognition.Design/methodology/approachTwo methods of integration of the results of individual classifiers are proposed. One is based on the statistical reliability of post‐processing performance on the trained data and the second uses the least mean square method in adjusting the weights of the weighted voting integrating network.FindingsThe experimental results of the recognition of six types of arrhythmias and normal sinus rhythm have shown that the performance of individual classifiers could be improved significantly by the integration proposed in this paper.Practical implicationsThe presented application should be regarded as the first step in the direction of automatic recognition of the heart rhythms on the basis of the registered ECG waveforms.Originality/valueThe results mean that instead of designing one high performance classifier one can build a number of classifiers, each of not superb performance. The appropriate combination of them may produce a performance of much higher quality.
Who was von Foerster, anyway?
Authors: Cecchin Gianfranco , Barbetta Pietro , Toffanetti Dario 
Published: June 2005

PurposeWhat is therapy? Which would be today Heinz von Foerster's answer? The authors try to unveil the mystery of an answer coming from a conversation among them. They think that Heinz von Foerster, like Gregory Bateson, was one of the most influential philosopher of therapy. In the paper they analyse some very basic key words – like trivial machine, human becoming – and key concepts – like “broaden the field of possible” – in order to understand if there is an order or a purpose in doing therapy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a confrontation between epistemology and therapy. The trick is that, unlike von Foerster, the authors are therapists. So probably their conversation will not be reliable. But usually therapists, in doing therapy, do not look for reliability. They try to be accountable, which is a different issue.FindingsProbably therapy is a language game. If yes, the language game of therapy is a trick without a trickster. A map in a stranger land. That can be considered the main finding which follows from von Foerster's thought.Practical implicationsNevertheless, such a wrong map sometimes could help who is lost, provided that map and territory will never be the same thing.Originality/valueThe original value of the paper is, first of all that it can be considered the last essay written by Gianfranco Cecchin before his death. In the very last period of his life Cecchin was considering and sounding a new perspective for therapy. Pietro Barbetta and Dario Toffanetti were working with him in therapy and theoretically to find new frames for therapies in the post‐modern era.
I see that I see: a hero's impact on a family therapist
Authors: Thomas Frank N. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the influence of the late Heinz von Foerster in the life of an admirer and friend who remains a leader in the field of family therapy.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is autobiographical. The method is (loosely) process recall and personal theoretical reflection. Objectives are achieved by organizing major tenets of von Foerster's constructivism into personal categories of meaning.FindingsFindings included a deep philosophical influence on the author's professional life; an abiding impact on his personal life; and a durability of von Foerster's ideas across disciplines, time, and the ever‐changing theories and politics of the mental health profession.Originality/valueThis paper adds value to the social sciences in general, and to the field of family therapy in particular, because it highlights the interconnectedness of person and profession and the confluence of the messenger/message. Some might say this is cybernetics in vivo. There may be little that is “new” in this paper in terms of theoretical constructs, but the autobiographical nature of the reflections may be its most valuable contribution to others struggling with such concepts.
Heinz von Foerster and my brief therapy work at the MRI
Authors: Anger‐Díaz Barbara 
Published: June 2005

PurposeAn attempt was made to establish a link between brief therapy à la MRI and Heinz von Foerster's view of how we might conceive of and live in the world of our creation, at least in a social sense.Design/methodology/approachThe author relates how her encounter with Heinz von Foerster coincided with and further developed a way of thinking about and doing therapy which she found at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, California. She tries to show how Heinz the person has had a lasting effect on the way she conceives of and tries to conduct Brief Therapy à la MRI.FindingsShe finds that using Heinz's metaphor of dancing with the world quite useful in the elucidation of what therapy might be all about: how it might, metaphorically speaking, simply be about engaging a client or clients by dancing with them, allowing for the mutual creation of a new possibility.Originality/valueThis paper was written to commemorate Heinz and for therapists in search of a therapeutic stance.
When the diagnosis “invents” the illness
Authors: Nardone Giorgio , Claudette Portelli and 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis paper develops from the constructivistic premise that our reality is a computation rather than a representation. Provides a constructive critique on the rigid psychopathological classifications used in mental health that end up creating a conditioned self‐confirming reality.Design/methodology/approachProposes to present an approach, which moves away from the traditional rigid categorizing definitions of mental disorders, to a constructivist perspective that considers human problems as dysfunctional systems of perception and reaction to reality.FindingsProvides literature that demonstrates how humans use interpretative tools to give order and definition to the world around them, but most often, end up forgetting that all their classifications, theories, tests and so forth, are mere human inventions. Presents various distinctive scientific research which evidence how those who are invested with the power of diagnosing mental sanity or insanity, are often trapped in their own theories and resulting diagnostic practice.Originality/valueThis paper puts forward the need in replacing a rigid deterministic model by an elastic and self‐corrective constructive‐strategic model of knowledge and intervention that guarantees the real efficacy and effectiveness of therapy.
Confessions of a cybernetic epistemologist
Authors: Keeney Bradford P. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo determine the influence of cybernetics and systemic thinking on psychotherapy from a personal viewpoint.Design/methodology/approachDescribes the author's own development.FindingsShows the major influence that cybernetics and systemic thinking had on psychotherapy. Beginning with the concept of simple feedback he spins the thread of circular understanding to the contributions of Heinz von Foerster and others, finally arriving at shamanistic and indigenous rites, becoming ever more a topic in the research of communication and healing.Originality/valueProvides a personal viewpoint of the contribution of the work of Heinz von Foerster.
The challenge of “And” – tolerating the undecidable
Authors: Hoffmann Ilka R. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis paper has the purpose of discussing the phenomenon of two competing positions, which appear in philosophy and psychology in a similar way, and the emerging possibilities when both are seen as complementary.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is to first point out the difficulty, which arises when both positions perceive each other as mutually exclusive and yet claim to fully describe reality. Then Ludwig Wittgenstein's attempt to end the conflict by drawing a line between what can be expressed in language and what is inexpressible is introduced. Finally it is shown how Heinz von Foerster tried to dissolve the argument between both positions by introducing the concept of “in principle undecidable questions”. From here the position of “and” is developed. The implications of this position as a possible way of ending (i.e. “and”‐ing) the argument are explored and then related to psychotherapy.FindingsThe findings show how the position of “and” increases possibilities in psychotherapy and poses new challenges at the same time.Originality/valueThe position of “and” with its consequences is a new perspective in psychotherapy which can be useful to practitioners and researchers as well.
The responsibility of the social worker: ethical implications of theory and practice
Authors: Kersting Heinz J. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo focus on the topic of ethics and responsibility, specifically on the ethical action of the social worker.Design/methodology/approachConsiders that while ethical questions are discussed in social discourse everywhere, social work in Germany seems to avoid a reformulation of deeply ethical premises. This is perhaps so, because ethics already are implicit in the actions of social work.FindingsThe author believes that the implicit dealing with ethics on the part of the social worker is similar to the “implicit ethics” of Heinz von Foester, which “cannot be articulated”, but are immanent in every action.Originality/valueA consideration of the ethical responsibilities of the social worker.
Second‐order cybernetics! In systemic management thinking?
Authors: Winter Wolfgang , Thurm Manuela 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe following contribution tries to answer the question of whether the management theory's interpretation of cybernetics has something to do with second‐order cybernetics, or in other words: what the impact of von Foerster's ideas so far on the German speaking management theory is.Design/methodology/approachDifferent methodological programs in business administration and management theory will be summarized to become aware of the fundamental difference between Foerster's ideas and their interpretation through the systemic approach in management theory.FindingsIn the beginning of the 1970s and all through the 1980s systemic thinking became what some management thinkers wanted to be called a “new paradigm” that ever since has attracted numerous researchers and practitioners, especially in the German speaking regions. So it seemed only natural that, together with systems theory, cybernetics, too, was introduced to the management discipline. Can you seriously have cybernetics without second‐order cybernetics? Of course you can. The question here is: how far did German speaking systemic management thinking dare to go in incorporating cybernetics into the theory of management of social systems?Originality/valueWe will clearly see what Heinz von Foerster was pointing at when he talked about management being an autological concept where the manager has to take his being part of the system seriously. When making obvious different conceptual versions of cybernetics and demonstrating their corresponding attempts in transferring cybernetic thinking into the domain of social systems we might get an insight into new directions for researchers in management.
Observing observers. Von Foerster, Luhmann, and management thinking
Authors: Paul Beyes Timon 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe paper discusses possible implications of Heinz von Foerster's notion of second‐order cybernetics for management thinking. The purpose of this paper is to outline challenges of as well as prospective further developments for management theory that emanate from second‐order cybernetics.Design/methodology/approachAs a conceptual paper, the paper tries to develop its findings through theoretically applying von Foerster's insights to management thinking's conventional assumptions. When looking for applications of von Foerster's approach within the social sciences, at least in german‐speaking countries one sooner or later comes across Niklas Luhmann's system sociology. Hence, Luhmann's version of the theory of the observer is introduced and its take on organization and management is briefly outlined. Drawing upon von Foerster's and Luhmann's reflections, possible implications for management thinking are presented – ideas that might be disagreeable for “classical” management science but might set out a path for further developments of management thinking.FindingsWhat difference might second‐order cybernetics (and autopoietic systems sociology) make for management thinking? As a conclusion, deliberately poignant statements are formulated, calling for a higher degree of self‐reflection, for critical readings of conventional texts, for more complex descriptions of organizations and for a more modest, low‐key take on management theory's endeavours.Originality/valueWhereas first‐order cybernetics has been fairly well‐received in management theory, second‐order cybernetics, which poses troubling questions to conventional epistemologies, remained relatively unpopular. Acts of “observing observers” reclaim these questions, possibly leading to valuable insights for researchers and reflected practitioners alike.
Teaching and testing the understanding of literature
Authors: Renk Herta‐Elisabeth 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo apply Heinz von Foerster's ideas on learning and testing to the teaching of literature in German higher education.Design/methodology/approachBased on a lengthy interview and on his published talks von Foerster's ideas are applied to the teaching of literature in German higher education.FindingsThe distinction between decidable and undecidable questions, the reflection of knowledge on a meta‐level, student responsibility for defining their areas of study and research, as well as their needs for factual information, the assessment of work by self‐assessment, reciprocal assessment or the presentation of work in performance or publication are analysed as instruments of an education that is informed by Heinz von Foerster's spirit: respect for the individual, curiosity and a permanent reflection of the contents and forms of teaching and learning, “from a higher point of view”.Originality/valueProvides an assessment of how von Foerster's ideas would change the teaching and testing of German literature.
Heinz von Foerster in the art department. A collide‐oscope in four parts
Authors: Bexte Peter 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo provide illumination of how systems tend to produce an output nobody expected. It is in these moments that observers may learn something about their own expectations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses two cases in the history of art: faked Vermeer paintings and a test Heinz von Foerster did in the art department at the University of Illinois.FindingsMcLuhan's notion “collide‐oscope” is applied to the way Heinz von Foerster (ab)uses images in his own texts; furthermore it is applied to the way the Biological Computer Laboratory (BCL) was organized. The formal structure of the “collide‐oscope” offers a model of perception.Originality/valueProvides a discussion of a fundamental message of cybernetics – that we cannot escape collisions and disturbances. They are its essence.
Feedback and music: you provide the noise, the order comes by itself
Authors: Aufermann Knut 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo provide an insight into the work of sound artists who use feedback to create music based on Heinz von Foerster's “order from noise” principle.Design/methodology/approachSelected examples of current and past working methods are given to demonstrate the research value of the artistic use of feedback music. It is attempted to find analogies between multi‐disciplinary uses of feedback by using the language of cybernetics to describe artistic practice. The text is augmented by graphic representations of audible feedback.FindingsAudible feedback is suggested as a prime example to study the behaviour of circular systems. Feedback music is established as valid artistic practice. A set of questions is devised to push forward a pan‐disciplinary discussion about feedback mechanisms.Research limitations/implicationsVery little research has been done on the subject, thereby the paper concentrates on subjective interpretations by the author.Practical implicationsCan only be considered a starting point for further research.Originality/valueThis paper is written for the curious reader who wants to discover the feedback strand of experimental music. It serves as another example for Heinz von Foersters boundary defying influence.
Trivial and non‐trivial machines in the animal and in man
Authors: Ivanovas Georg 
Published: June 2005

PurposeIt was the aim to apply basic epistemological concepts, as presented by Heinz von Foerster, to current problems of medicine and biology.Design/methodology/approachThe relation of genes and human behaviour is an important issue in current medical discourse. Many states and diseases are claimed to be caused by a genetical disposition. To prove the soundness of such claims, a strict methodology has to be applied.FindingsThe usual approach of combining genetical findings with observed behaviour is based on an insufficient epistemology. The neglect of recursive processes leads to misinterpretations that have far‐reaching consequences, especially if disease and therapy are concerned.Research limitations/implicationsA precise analysis of recursive traits would allow more reliable models of the relation between genetical disposition and environmental influence.Originality/valueThe paper reflects trivial or non‐trivial relations in social behaviour that are often neglected.
Recursion, reiterations and remarkableness
Authors: Zimpel André Frank 
Published: June 2005

PurposeA deeper understanding of cognitive development in the situation of a neither‐nor‐dilemma is the purpose of this paper.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is an evaluation of experimental studies of Montessori, Lewin, Piaget and my own studies of mental development under conditions of neurological and psychological syndromes with the help of von Foerster's mathematical models. Von Foerster suggested the use of specialized knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences – but without their methods of reduction – to solve the hard problems in humanities. One of the hardest problems in humanities is the question: How does a new pattern arise in the mind of an observer? Piaget theoretically influenced von Foerster and agreed with von Foerster's order‐from‐noise model as a principle of explanation for the equilibrium of cognitive structures.FindingsThe finding is an improved game‐theoretical simulation of Piaget's equilibrium theory: a remarkableness matrix. This matrix shows the way, in which a new cognitive pattern – or in other words: a new worldview – can arise by the reiteration of always the same experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe research implication is a new way of mathematical description of this process.Practical implicationsThe practical implications are improvements of educational settings and a basic research for a diagnostic manual for Eigen‐behaviors.Originality/valueThe newness of this paper is the connection of von Foerster's deductive simulation of Eigen‐behavior with Piaget's inductive probability model. The results may be helpful for educators, therapists, psychologists and other researchers in the field of cognitive sciences.
The human face of cybernetics: Heinz von Foerster and the history of a movement that failed…
Authors: Krieg Peter 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo discuss the concept of cybernetics, and to point out its complexities.Design/methodology/approachCybernetics can be seen as a scientific concept of harnessing complexity as a feedback phenomenon and a project aimed at establishing a new control science and adaptive technology based on the formalization of complexity. Today, we still do not have adaptive or complex computers.FindingsCybernetics has failed both as a concept and a project, and is becoming a case for historians. But before it is classified as just a short scientific episode between the atomic bomb and cyberwar, a closer look will show that it was not only a military sponsored project driven by the cold war of the 1950s but also a rebellious movement inspired by the visions of the 1960s. Heinz von Foerster more than anyone else represented this human face of cybernetics.Originality/valueConsiders some of the thought‐provoking ideas of Heinz von Foerster in the history of cybernetics.
Forget the observer: the presence, the paradox and self‐reference
Authors: Pawlik Lucas 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose is to offer a systemic perspective how our (understanding of) logic, language, and the world could be altered to create a new kind of science and communication.Design/methodology/approachThe whole experiment is composed as a self‐referential pattern consisting of a series of language experiments and games similar to those to be found in Ludwig Wittgenstein's “Philosophical Investigations”, in Taoist epistemology like in the writings of Lao‐tzu or Chuang‐tzu, or in medieval theology such as in “The Cloud of Unknowing”.FindingsFollowing the presented thought patterns, it can be shown that we are able to become aware of the ways in which the observer comes (we ourselves come) into being through language. The language experiments illustrate the ways in which our use of language defines our world and our perception of it.Research limitations/implicationsThe perspective itself can only be attained if one disregards conventional methods of reasoning such as disciplinary thinking. The language experiments offer a brief introduction to the way of thinking and perceiving they represent. In order to create a lasting effect on the mind, one either has to reread the experiment numerous times or develop similar patterns of thinking.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new methodological approach to how we can think and act as its contents include the most fundamental matters of human nature such as time, space, identity, action, and non‐action.
Introduction: continuing the magic
Authors: Broecker Monika 
Published: June 2005

PurposePresents an “in memoriam” tribute to Heinz von Foerster.Design/methodology/approachOutlines his work.FindingsIntroduces his inspiring contributions in the applied sciences and to the more general researches on the theoretical and practical implications of the cybernetic epistemology.Originality/valueGives insights to the importance of the work of von Foerster.