Luhmann’s radically ‘anti-humanist’ answer to the mind–society problem is one of the most controversial elements of his theory: Operationally speaking, minds and society are not connected.
As an encompassing system of Communication, society consists of communicative operations. Minds, on the other hand, consist of mental operations. Neither kind of communication can connect directly with the other: In order to continue its respective Autopoiesis, a mind needs to think or feel, and society needs to communicate; there is no operational link between the two.
As Luhmann succinctly stated: ‘Humans cannot communicate; not even their brains can communicate; not even their conscious minds can communicate. Only communication can communicate’ (Luhmann 2002, 169).
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In his seminal essay on the question ‘How Can the Mind Participate in Communication’, Niklas Luhmann stated: ‘The autopoiesis of social systems is nothing more than this constant process of reduction and opening of connective Possibilities’ (Luhmann 2002, 172).
MOELLER, Hans-Georg and D’AMBROSIO, Paul J., 2019. Sincerity, authenticity and profilicity: Notes on the problem, a vocabulary and a history of identity. Philosophy & Social Criticism. 1 June 2019. Vol. 45, no. 5, p. 575–596. DOI 10.1177/0191453718799801.