Note Numbering System

The special Numbering System of the notes is constitutively linked to the filing technique described above. In order to be able to find a particular note in the dis-order (Un-Ordnung) of the collection, each note is numbered according to a very specific principle. This principle also solves the problem of How To Add New Notes to the old collection without having to question the original collection numbering: Within the above-mentioned sections, Luhmann always uses a simple sequential numbering, depending on the time of the respective entry. The section number is placed before the actual numbering of the notes: 1.1 is followed by 1.2, then 1.3, etc.[8].

[8] In the first collection, the department number is separated from the serial number by a comma, in the second by a slash (/).

A later note following a single Aspect of note 1 is numbered 1.1a and placed between notes 1.1 and 1.2. A note following this note is numbered 1.1b, again monothematically; further thematic Branching leads to note number 1.1a1 and placement of this note between 1.1a and 1.1b. As you can see, this procedure can be repeated for each inserted note. In order to ensure that the notes are unambiguously assigned to each other, Luhmann then usually notes consecutive numbers or (in the case of further references to a note already noted) lower-case letters in red on the original note at the corresponding reference points; these numbers or letters are also noted on the follow-up note (Folgezettel) in addition to the actual note number (so-called close reference (Nahverweis)).

[9] See e.g. ZK I Zettel 28,12c26. niklas-luhmann-archiv