Citation
Rudall, B.H. (2007), "The beginning of a new epistemology: in memoriam, Gregory Bateson (1904-1980)", Kybernetes, Vol. 36 No. 7/8. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2007.06736gaa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
The beginning of a new epistemology: in memoriam, Gregory Bateson (1904-1980)
The beginning of a new epistemology: in memoriam, Gregory Bateson (1904-1980)
It has been the aim of this journal to honour the leading cyberneticians and systemicists of the past and also to acknowledge the contributions of those of the present day by publishing special-issues dedicated to them and their endeavours. In consequence, we have produced many “in memoriam” issues, features and “Cyberprofiles” in the 35 volumes already published, but have neglected to include any specifically dedicated to Gregory Bateson. We were therefore particularly grateful to Monika Broecker and Georg Ivanovas for their suggestion that such a tribute should be made, and that Bateson's work should be recognised and honoured in this way.
As the invited Guest Editors of this special “in memoriam” double issue they have invited contributions which have been developed after consultation and dialogue between the authors, peer reviewers and the editors to produce this unique collection of papers. There is little doubt about the lasting value of these contributions and their importance in the literature that has been dedicated to Bateson's life and work.
In his introductory paper to this memorial issue, Georg Ivanovas links the contributions that have been chosen and indicates the way in which they illustrate the many facets of Bateson's many interests and endeavours. He believes that “Bateson's contributions to epistemology for example, are so numerous that it would be impossible to even show their main implications” in this memorial.
In consequence any such memorial issue has to express the personal appreciation of the guest editors and their invited participants. We would wish to express our gratitude to all who were involved in the compilation of this memorial issue which we know, will be welcomed by the cybernetics and systems community as a timely honour and informative account of some of the many achievements of Gregory Bateson.
Brian H. RudallEditor-in-Chief, Kybernetes