Chapter 22: Operationally Closed Systems Develop Eigenbehaviour: From Learning Systems to Global Decarbonisation

In systems theory, the eigenbehaviour of a system could be seen as a distinguishing criterion for defining non-linear systems, beyond the more common linearity of input-output systems. The prefix ‘eigen’ implies self-reference with feedback loops that strongly constrain and stabilise behaviour. This chapter demonstrates that observed learning curves of technology learning systems and the observed decarbonisation curve of the global economic system express identical eigenbehaviour for these two types of systems in the non-linear cyber-systemic domain.¹

Operational closure analyses a system, whether social or not, as functionally self-contained, managing the complexity of its transformation processes within itself and in relation to its environment, that is, it presents the system as autonomous. Following Varela (1979, p. 55) an operationally closed system completely controls its internal network of operations and sets and maintains its own boundary. This manuscript describes operational closure through two diagrams in Fig. 22.1.