Niklas Luhmann's anti-totalitarian observation of systems

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the philosophical roots of Luhmann's theory in relation to its anti-totalitarian elements.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a conceptual discussion of the critical and anti-totalitarian angle in Niklas Luhmann's system theory.

Findings

This paper finds that systems theory has a critical potential.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge the anti-totalitarian element of Niklas Luhmann's system theory has not be discussed before the present contribution.

Citation

Harste, G. and Laursen, K.B. (2022), "Niklas Luhmann's anti-totalitarian observation of systems", Kybernetes, Vol. 51 No. 5, pp. 1710-1723. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-04-2021-0328