Introduction
In our exploration of system observability and situational intelligence, we established a universal pattern for understanding system behavior through sources, subjects, signs, and signals (including states). This recursive pattern is foundational to what we call Semiosphere, a living semiotics system, which builds upon Substrates and Signetics—a computational execution model enabling the processing, routing, and transformation of signs and signals. Together, these elements create an architecture that supports situational awareness, digital twins, and business process intelligence.
A key insight in this framework is that all perception and control follow a recursive structure, a principle that aligns closely with Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). PCT provides a cybernetic model for how intelligent agents regulate perception and maintain control over their environment. By comparing PCT’s hierarchy of control to our General Theory of System Observability, which underpins our design for a Semiosphere, we find a shared fractal pattern of intelligence.
Powers’ PCT posits a hierarchical system where higher levels modulate lower levels via reference state adjustments. This feedback mechanism highlights intelligent agents’ control over their perceptions, rather than passive reactivity to external inputs. This directly corroborates our General Theory of System Observability, proposing that all systemic and situational intelligence is recursively bidirectional and arises from the ongoing interpretation of signs.
The following table from PCT has been expanded to include a 12th level, which incorporates the idea of context. This addition significantly improves our understanding of the system’s behavior by acknowledging that the system’s actions and internal processes can be viewed and analyzed from a perspective outside of the system itself.
| Levels 1..12 | Description |
|---|---|
| Intensity | Raw sensory signal. |
| Sensation | Basic sensory qualities. |
| Configuration | Patterns of recognition. |
| Transition | Changes or movements. |
| Event | Sequences of transitions. |
| Relationship | Interrelation of events. |
| Category | Classifies of experiences. |
| Sequence | Routines of categories. |
| Program | Execution of sequences. |
| Principle | Policies guiding behavior. |
| System | Self-regulation of an entity. |
| Context | Situated awareness and action. |
Unveiling a Pattern of Perception and Processing
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) offers a powerful framework for understanding how we interact with the world, emphasizing the control of perceptions rather than behaviors. While the hierarchical levels of perception in PCT are well-established, a deeper look reveals a fascinating underlying pattern.
By applying principles from the General Theory of System Observability, we can uncover a recurring structure across these perceptual levels. This new perspective suggests that the twelve levels of perception in PCT can be grouped into three scales of increasing abstraction. Within each scale, we observe a consistent four-step process:
– Signal (Sense): The data received from the environment or lower scale.
– Sign (Signify): The interpretation or meaning assigned to the signal.
– Subject (Structure): The internal representation of the world that’s constructed.
– Status (Synthesis): The synthesized state of subjects within their environment.
A pattern of processing unfolds across three levels of abstraction, each a four-step iterative cycle. Subsequent levels leverage the preceding ones, generating progressively intricate and abstract world representations. It highlights the progressive development of internal representations, from basic sensory input to complex concepts and principles.
A signal, a sensory input to a scale, maps to a sensed intensity (1), event (5), and program execution (9).
A sign, an interpretation within a scale, maps to sensation (2), relationship (6), and principle (10).
A subject, a structure formed within a scale, maps to configuration (3), category (7), and system (11).
A status, a synthesis of state within a scale, maps to transition (4), sequence (8), and context (12).
By identifying this recurring pattern, we gain a deeper understanding of how information is processed within the perceptual hierarchy, potentially leading to new insights into the mechanisms of control, consciousness, and the nature of experience itself. This discovery opens exciting avenues for further research and could have significant implications for fields ranging from digital twins and artificial intelligence.
