Living Control Systems III: The Fact of Control
by William T. Powers
$ 65.00
ISBN# 978-0-9647121-8-8
This is the third in a series of books by William T. Powers about Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), a robust theory of behavior he originated in the 1970s. This book is about control theory and how it explains human behavior and perhaps behaviors of all organisms.
This latest work includes an extensive mathematical appendix, index, and over 50 illustrations (more than half in full color), plus a CD of free open-source computer programs of interactive models and simulations.
The book includes contributions from:
Bruce Abbott, Ph.D. Department of Psychology, Indiana University, Purdue University Fort Wayne (LCS III Models and Simulations design/development)
Richard Kennaway, D. Phil. Senior Research Associate School of Computing Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, England UK (LCS III Mathematical Appendix)
Living Control Systems III continues Powers's revolutionary approach to understanding living organisms as purposeful agents whose actions serve to control their environments. A unique feature of the book is the accompanying computer programs where Powers 'puts his models where his mouth is," graphically demonstrating how negative feedback control systems can account for a wide range of goal-oriented behavior. This book is required reading (and computing) for anyone seeking a deep understanding of the behavior of living organisms. - Gary Cziko, Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois, and author, Without Miracles and The Things We Do
