Which concept is central to cybernetics?

The concept that is central to cybernetics is feedback loops. In cybernetics, feedback loops refer to the process by which systems self-regulate through the information they receive about their actions and the effects of those actions. These feedback mechanisms allow a system to adjust its behavior based on the outcomes it produces, which is crucial for maintaining stability and achieving desired results.

Feedback loops can be positive or negative; positive feedback amplifies changes and can lead to exponential growth or collapse, while negative feedback works to counteract changes and brings a system back to its equilibrium state. This process is essential in understanding how systems respond to perturbations and maintain function over time, making it a cornerstone of cybernetic theory.

While concepts like integration, homeostasis, and hierarchy are important in various fields, they do not encapsulate the foundational mechanism of self-regulating behavior that feedback loops represent in cybernetics. Homeostasis, for instance, refers specifically to the maintenance of stable conditions within an organism or system, which may involve feedback loops, but is not the central concept itself. Similarly, integration and hierarchy pertain to structural or organizational principles rather than the functional feedback processes that define cybernetic systems.