Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence, Vol 3, No 3 (2011), 188-196, Aug 2011
doi:10.4304/jetwi.3.3.188-196

A Set Theory Analysis of Ecological Dependence amid an Agent Infrastructure in Beer’s Viable System Model through Viable Computer Systems

Ruth Thompson, Andrew Laws, Denis Reilly, Azzelarabe Taleb-Bendiab, David Llewellyn-Jones

Abstract


This research has innovated an emerging technology: Viable Computer Systems, aimed at surpassing the autonomic computing genre through analysis of cybernetic and mathematical bases of enquiry. The agentbased framework aspires software system self-governance by incorporating the environment as part of the system, illustrated via a set theory analogue. Relevant properties of Beer’s human-oriented Viable System Model are represented, towards reducing software redundancy within the industry. Pertinent attributes include open-bounded communication and control, allowing portability to differing computing scenarios the recursive architecture is underscored by feedback control and variety engineering, thereby enabling homeostatic and temporal modelling of both the internal systemic capabilities and the environment of that system in focus, so promoting a sense of self and thus viability through autopoietic emergence. The systemenvironment ecology is further engendered by application of Ashby’s goal directedness in conjunction with Sommerhoff's coenetic variable and directive correlation principals respectively. Case studies demonstrate proof of concept.


Keywords


agent-based systems, ecological dependence, agent infrastructure, Viable Computer Systems, agent selforganization

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