Luhmann Niklas. Ecological Communication: Coping with the Unknown

Systems Practice. — 1993. — Vol. 6. — No. 5. — С. 527 - 539.There is growing concern with how science and modem society can cope with major problems, especially those of an ecological kind. This has grown in parallel with a skepticism which questions our processes of rational decision making, questions our ability to plan, and questions our cognitive capacity for prediction and directing action. Faced with these problems, the scientific establishment demands more investment to increase levels of knowledge. It maintains that we can change and master the environment. But the way forward is to recognize the increasing uncertainties we face. Some theoretical development is possible in this area owing to the study of risk, but this needs generalizing to the level of society. An attempt is made in the final section to assimilate this particular theoretical approach with ideas in evolutionary theory.