The Sensory Order and other Adaptive Classifying Systems

In this: publication
By this: publisher
In this Subject: Biology ,&nbsp; Business ,&nbsp; Economics
By this author: McQuade, Thomas ;&nbsp; Butos, William

Authors: McQuade, Thomas¹; Butos, William²

Source: Journal of Bioeconomics, Volume 7, Number 3, December 2005 , pp. 335-358(24)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Hayek's cognitive theory, which seeks to describe the operation of a particular order, in fact provides a paradigmatic account of knowledge-generating orders in general. We claim that this paradigm provides a fertile conceptual framework for exploring a variety of problems in economics and social theory. In particular, we shall show that Hayek's conception of the `map' and the `model', which he uses to explain the operation of the complex adaptive classifying system called `mind', are promising analytical devices with applications extending to social structures of various kinds and complexity. We use Hayek's notion of the map and model to analyze how different social structures – regarded as classifying systems – work in terms of their input, processing, and output capabilities. The adaptive characteristics of such systems, via communicative routines, multi-level classification, and feedback, form central motifs for our discussion of markets, science, and other social structures. We show that by analyzing the knowledge-generating characteristics of such structures we are also able to gain insights about the circumstances affecting their adaptive properties.

Keywords: social theory; cognition; knowledge; adaptation; markets; science; classification; Hayek; A12; B41; B52; B53; Z13