COMUNICAZIONE TRA SISTEMI AUTOPOIETICI: LA CONNETTIVITA’ FUNZIONALE E LA RESILIENZA SISTEMICA

The general theory developed by Niklas Luhmann is based on functional differentiation and operational closure, which make the autopoiesis of the societal system possible. However, in the current age, social change, globalisation and digitisation constitute factors of change that require a critical review of the theory, as well as the identification of the disconnection between the theoretical assumptions and factual reality. In particular, it seems that tension emerges between the maintenance of social identity and the need to adapt to external changes. Therefore, the thesis proposes a shift from the centre to the boundaries of the system, thanks to a dynamic perspective that focuses not on the system itself but on its environment. As for the methodological approach, the general systems theory is characterised by universalism. Therefore, the critical reading as well, which uses the broad conceptual kit belonging to systems theory, maintains a high level of abstraction and, following the example of Luhmann himself, who draws on sciences such as biology and cybernetics, employs concepts borrowed from other disciplines. Specifically, they are adopted concepts from economics (market analysis, trade-off, balance, optimum point), environmental science (resilience) and mathematical analysis (inverse proportionality, tangent point, derivatives and integrals). Finally, new concepts are coined, such as ‘stem couplings’, ‘functional connectivity’, ‘social heritage’, and ‘systemic resilience’. With reference to the articulation of the work, the first part presents a summary of the conceptual framework of general systems theory. Given the extensiveness and richness of the theoretical production by Luhmann, the dissertation is limited to the general approach and main foundations. The second part is dedicated to the analysis of three subsystems: the ‘legal system’, the ‘mass media system’ and the ‘art system’. Starting from Luhmann and other scholars’ works, the dissertation continues with original interpretations consistent with contemporary society. With no claim to completeness, the thesis aims to analyse specific mechanisms involved in the reproduction of the sub-systems, useful for investigating the boundaries of the systems and their links with the environment. For this purpose, some current trends are described, such as ‘neo-pluralism’ and ‘trans-constitutionalism’ in the ‘legal system’. Then, ‘market analysis’ is applied to test a dynamic model of interpretation of the system in a period of time. Also the function of social memory is investigated in the long run, with reference to the evolution of the media. The goal is to propose the reproductive mechanisms of the mass media system, taking into account the constructivist role of social networks. Finally, the ‘art system’ is considered. It starts with an analysis of the destruction of artworks during violent social change in order to interpret cultural heritage as a mean of social identity transmission. The perspective passes from a zoom on empirical cases to a wide angle of the system process of self-reproduction. The three subsystems have different functional features, but it is possible to find similar evolutionary paths, extensible to the whole social system. In particular, the pivotal role of the ‘structural coupling’ emerges between the subsystem and the ‘psychic system’ (one could define it as a ‘stem coupling’ in the system genesis), and it could be proposed the replacement of a rigid ‘binary code’ with a communication code that includes shades between the two extremes. The third and last part of the work tries to draw some general conclusions. From the analysis of the three subsystems it is possible to see obsolescence signals of the theory,, precisely regarding the problem of the borders; from the total operational closure produced by binary codes, one could adopt a more flexible vision, where the boundaries are seen as permeable membranes that allow an osmotic relationship with the environment. Staying within a systemic functionalism, the thesis proposes a possible integration of Luhmann’s theory in order to emphasise the capacity of the system, during the self-reproduction, to survive by absorbing and rearranging the environmental changes. In particular, it shows the trade-off relationship between openness and closure of the system. This interpretation allows the discovery of an equilibrium point, to which the system must tend; in this way, it avoids not only the excessive openness (which involves the destruction of the system for absorption by the environment) but also the rigid closure (which implies the splitting of the codes if environment changes). The key concept to enable the optimal combination may be intersystemic communication. Therefore, it is possible to propose the integration of the principle of ‘functional differentiation’ with that of functional connectivity. Thus, the thesis, although moving in the functionalist and systemic tradition, aims to address the problem not of system reproduction, but of transformation. The constitutive and evolutionary dynamics seem to be connected with the optimal combination of ‘closure’ and ‘openness’ and with the ability to establish the intersystemic communication channels, which provide the resilience of the system according to the environmental changes. It is this constant disposition to change that makes the survival of the social system possible. Consistent with the mythological cosmogony, the concept of ‘autopoiesis’ could, therefore, bind to that of a constitutive relationship, and at the same time it could give back a primary role of the psychic system as part of the social system.