AUTOMATA (Self -reproducing)
Charles François (2004). AUTOMATA (Self -reproducing), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 206.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 206 ▶ |
| Object type | Discipline oriented, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
In L. LÖFGREN words: “… an automaton where the behavior function F is considered self-reproducing if, from some stimulus, it produces another automaton with the same function F. This leads to the question whether a function can contain itself in its range” (1978, p.247)
In view of GÖDEL 'S incompleteness theorem, this does not seem to be a very promising proposition.
However ATLAN states: “…up to now the only self-reproducing automata known are the natural machines, i.e. the living organisms” (1972, p.22). But even this view should be qualified: reproduction by division is not the same process as sexual reproduction. Besides, self-reproduction has now a specific autopoietic meaning.
ATLAN also writes:
- “a) Living organisms' specificity is related to (cybernetic) principles of organization, and not anymore to irreductible vital principles
- “b) Once these principles are outlined, nothing should impede their application to artificial automata, whose performance could equalize those of living organisms” (p.22-23)