Das Potential und Design von Universaltheorien

This thesis deals with the design and the potential of Universal Theories in a context of continually increasing complexity and differentiation. Univeral Theories make assertions about all kinds of phenomena without claiming exclusivity. The significance of Universal Theories derives from their use as integrative metatheories, interdisciplinary frameworks for knowledge and theory. The initial emphasis is on the analysis of the design of Niklas Luhmann's System Theory. The influence of the claim to universality on the design and content of the theory is investigated, as well as the extent to which this is achieved. The next section deals with one of the most important research areas of the last decades: the investigation of hypercomplex structures as in evolution or chaos theory. These hypercomplex structures have the breadth and scope necessary to model the whole range of interactive processes represented by Universal Theories. In a continuation of Luhmann's approach to a Universal Theory, the Iteration Theory is extended with unlimited scope, interdisciplinary applicability and self-referential reflection. The aim of the proposed theory is to apply a heterarchic and coherence-theoretical framework to describe hyper complex structures in the form of networks of repeated partial processes. The self-referential reflection of theory as theory is discussed against the background of philosophy and neurobiology. The idea of a Universal Theory represents a paradigm change from hierarchical structures to heterarchic and coherence-theoretical networks, with greater descriptive power for the increasing complexity of the world and human knowledge. The consequences of Universal Theory for science and society are investigated here.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität

Year

2003

Author dc:creator

• Gaiser, Carolin

Repository record source_url

https://edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de/1790/

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:edoc.ub.uni-muenchen.de:1790