AUTOPOIETIC SYSTEMS

SYMPOIETIC SYSTEMS

Defining Characteristics

self-producing

collectively producing

self-produced boundaries

lacking boundaries

organizationally closed

organizationally ajar

external structural coupling

internal and external structural coupling

Characteristic Tendencies

autonomous units

complex, amorphous entities

central control

distributed control

'packaged,' same information

distributed, different information

reproduction by copy

amorphous reproduction

evolution between systems

evolution within system

growth/development oriented

evolutionary orientation

homeostatic balance

balance by dynamic tension

steady state

potentially dramatic, surprising change

finite temporal trajectories

potentially infinite temporal trajectories

predictable

unpredictable

Advantages/disadvantages

efficient

adaptable, flexible

constrained, codified information

open to new and different information

require certainty

ok with surprise