No. 73 (2025): Septiembre-diciembre
Articles

Cybernetics and Allagmatics: A Review of the Influence of Systemism in Simondon’s Work

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  • Guillermo Rodríguez Alonso
Guillermo Rodríguez Alonso
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela

Published 2025-08-22

Keywords

  • allagmatics,
  • cybernetics,
  • individuation,
  • Simondon,
  • Wiener,
  • systemism,
  • system,
  • information,
  • analogy,
  • operation,
  • machine,
  • psychology of form
    • ...More
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How to Cite

Rodríguez Alonso, G. (2025). Cybernetics and Allagmatics: A Review of the Influence of Systemism in Simondon’s Work. Tópicos, Revista De Filosofía, 73, 325-359. https://doi.org/10.21555/top.v730.2966
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Abstract

Gilbert Simondon’s thought is heavily influenced by the early cybernetics developed between the 1940s and 50s. While this is widely acknowledged by scholars, the conceptual connections that Simondon establishes with the vibrant scientific and technological landscape of those decades have not yet been thoroughly examined. In this article, my aim is to shed light on the dialogue that Simondon establishes with cybernetics, ultimately leading to his proposal of a comprehensive philosophy of cybernetics known as “allagmatics,” which he defines as a theory of operations. For this purpose, I first assess the extent of the epistemological shift brought about by the systemic currents (such as cybernetics, psychology of form, general systems theory, and information theory) and their impact on Simondon’s philosophy. Subsequently, I delve into the notion of system proposed by Simondon, followed by an exploration of the notion of analogy that underlies his philosophical method, drawing inspiration from the dynamic equivalences between machines and animals.

PDF (Spanish)

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