[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# The Autopoietic Character of Society

Demetis D, 2023, Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-13 — Systems Science

Patterns: [Distinctions](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/distinctions), [Systems](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/systems)

## In short

Introduces social autopoiesis and Niklas Luhmann's theory of society as self-producing systems.

## What they found (results)

Luhmann operationalizes the system/environment distinction as society/human, with society differentiated into function subsystems — illustrated through applications, one expanded in detail.

## What they set out to do (purpose)

A chapter introducing social autopoiesis: from Maturana and Varela's biological concept to Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory.

## Abstract

Following the articulation of the concept of autopoiesis in the biological realm by Maturana and Varela, this chapter introduces the basic principles and questions that led to the development of social autopoiesis. In exploring the developments around the autopoietic character of society, this chapter focuses on the core ideas behind Niklas Luhmann’s social systems theory as an abstraction and expansion of the biologically-inspired autopoiesis. The central ideas around Luhmann’s decision to operationalise the system/environment distinction as a society/human distinction are discussed while the principles of the different function subsystems of society are outlined. A sample of applications that apply Luhmann’s ideas are provided and one of these cases is expanded.

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.0000013)