cybernetics

The preamble of Norbert Wiener's The Human Use of Human Beings introduces cybernetics as a foundational science of control and communication bridging engineering, biology, and statistical mechanics. Wiener critiques the notion of 'harmless' pure mathematics, emphasizing the social responsibility of scientists and the ethical implications of technology, especially in the context of war and communication revolutions. The introduction by Steve J. Heims situates Wiener as both a pioneering mathematician and a socially conscious thinker who foresaw the profound societal impacts of technological advances and advocated for the humane use of technology amid the threats of disorganization and entropy.