Feedback as a Fundamental Principle of System Viability

This paper examines feedback as one of the fundamental principles underlying system viability within the framework of Vitology. Feedback is considered a universal mechanism enabling systems to detect deviations, maintain coordinated functioning, support adaptation, activate regenerative processes, and sustain long-term development. Unlike approaches that treat feedback primarily as a mechanism of control, Vitology interprets feedback as a broader principle contributing to the preservation and increase of system viability. The paper explores the relationship between feedback and existing scientific approaches, including systems theory, cybernetics, homeostasis, resilience studies, and complex adaptive systems theory. Particular attention is devoted to the role of feedback in preserving system integrity, supporting self-regulation, enabling adaptation and regeneration, and facilitating development across biological, ecological, social, organizational, technical, and artificial systems. Keywords Vitology, feedback, system viability, cybernetics, systems theory, self-regulation, adaptation, regeneration, resilience, system integrity, complex adaptive systems, development, coordination.