An introduction to cybernetics
William Ross Ashby · 1956
Many workers in the biological sciencesphysiologists, psycholo- gists, sociologistsare interested in cybernetics and would like to apply its methods and techniques to their own speciality.Many have, however, been prevented from taking up the subject by an impression that its use must be preceded by a long study of elec- tronics and advanced pure mathematics; for they have formed the impression that cybernetics and these subjects are inseparable.The author is convinced, however, that this impression is false.The basic ideas of cybernetics can be treated without reference to electronics, and they are fundamentally simple; so although advanced techniques may be necessary for advanced applications, a great deal can be done, especially in the biological sciences, by the use of quite simple techniques, provided they are used with a clear and deep 121