Das Potential und Design von Universaltheorien

This thesis deals with the design and the potential of Universal
Theories in a context of continually increasing complexity and
differentiation. Univeral Theories make assertions about all kinds
of phenomena without claiming exclusivity. The significance of
Universal Theories derives from their use as integrative
metatheories, interdisciplinary frameworks for knowledge and
theory. The initial emphasis is on the analysis of the design of
Niklas Luhmann's System Theory. The influence of the claim to
universality on the design and content of the theory is
investigated, as well as the extent to which this is achieved. The
next section deals with one of the most important research areas of
the last decades: the investigation of hypercomplex structures as
in evolution or chaos theory. These hypercomplex structures have
the breadth and scope necessary to model the whole range of
interactive processes represented by Universal Theories. In a
continuation of Luhmann's approach to a Universal Theory, the
Iteration Theory is extended with unlimited scope,
interdisciplinary applicability and self-referential reflection.
The aim of the proposed theory is to apply a heterarchic and
coherence-theoretical framework to describe hyper complex
structures in the form of networks of repeated partial processes.
The self-referential reflection of theory as theory is discussed
against the background of philosophy and neurobiology. The idea of
a Universal Theory represents a paradigm change from hierarchical
structures to heterarchic and coherence-theoretical networks, with
greater descriptive power for the increasing complexity of the
world and human knowledge. The consequences of Universal Theory for
science and society are investigated here.