[observe]
Bulent Diken
"World" for Luhmann means "all that exists". However, from a differential point of view all that exists cannot be observed. For any observer (observing system) Welt is always differentiated into system and environment (Umwelt), and the unity of this differentiation is, for the observer, unobservable. Welt is the concept of this unobservable unity of difference. According to Luhmann, a unity of difference may be observable for another observer operating from another distinction, however, there always emerges an unobservable unity of this new distinction which takes over the function of the "blind spot" (Luhmann, 1990: 15). As the blind spot of any observer, Welt is "Welt after the Fall" (Luhmann, 1984: 284).
[Niels Albertsen & Bülent Diken]
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