Elaboration 7

The principle of feed-back, of controlling a process by effecting a change in it in accordance to the desired result, via a different route (channel), cannot be found in physical nature. It is an ordering principle, therefore, because idea, mind, alive, is the only ordering agent known in nature, it belongs to living nature. Ordening implies purpose, and this, by implying an ego and well-being is absolutely non-physical. There is confusion though, when feed-back systems are found, made by man (computers, controlling systems, etc.). They are ordering systems as tools for man. When they order things about, they do so on instigation of man, his 'orders'. We may find ordering, but no purpose, no ego or well-being. The problem is like finding what one has put in first, as pseudo-analysis does (Salter). Feed-back also, should not be mistaken to be equilibrium, balance, of which inanimate nature is full, nay, is existent by. The level of a lake may be kept at a certain maximum because all the water that tends to rise it, would flow over the rim and vanish. The position of stars and planets too, are always in an equilibrium, though, no feed-back there. Feed-back is purpose, is control, is ordering, is therefore life-typical, is ideational. Balancing is a phenomenon in all nature, though the first to be USED by life, feed-back certainly is the second trick of balancing used by life, but it is only possible in the complexities of life. Just because of this 'different route' in the definition of feedback.