ENVIRONMENT (Stochastic)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1129 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
Environment whose characteristics are partially random for the system that depends on it.
Such a situation considerably diminishes the predictive ability of the system, which must then possess a quite higher variety (ASHBY), better countervailing reserves (VENDRYES), or a better organizational closure (MATURANA and VARELA).
According to M.P. SCHUTZENBERGER, in such a case: “…the optimal strategy is just the simple tactic of attempting to do one's best on a purely local basis” (1969, p.211). One could add… “on the basis of a short term evaluation”.
The random character of the environment can be reduced in some cases by a better input of information, which can be obtained by the use of better sensors, captors or depictors. More adequate models are also very helpful.
A totally or excessively random environment would not allow for the survival of any system.