Abstract

The chapter outlines cybersemiotics in relation to the research fields of systems theory and semiotics in general. It introduces and defines the key concepts of the first, second, and third generations of systems theory and gives a survey of systems theoretical approaches to general and cultural semiotics. The author argues that the notions of system, communication, self-reference, information, meaning, form, autopoiesis, and self-control are of equal topical interest to semiotics and systems theory. In particular, the paper inquires into the way in which N. Luhmann, Maturana/Varela, and C.S. Peirce define and use these concepts and how these authors differ with respect to them.