Niklas Luhmann’s Theory of Observation and the Interpretation of Political Discourse
Author: Jeng-Ti Huang
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
Political science should not only be concerned with empirically oriented political theory, but should also consider how politicians and citizens observe politics. Accordingly, this paper uses Niklas Luhmann’s observation theory to interpret political discourse. According to George Spencer-Brown’s “laws of form,” Luhmann defines observation as indicating something by means of a distinction. Moreover, Luhmann divides observation into “the first order observation” and “the second order observation.” The former observes things; the latter observes observation. Luhmann’s observation theory postulates paradox as the latter form, and therefore can be regarded as a “supertheory” characterized by autologic. The second order observer fully understands that all interpretation results derived by means of “re-entry” are paradoxical and contingent.