Reflections of the famous science fiction writer and philosopher on cybernetics, its role and place in the modern world in the context of social, psychological and moral problems associated with this science - and generated by it. What do different models of society look like from the point of view of cybernetics? Which system is more stable: absolute tyranny or complete anarchy? Can modern science grant immortality to a person, and if so, what to do in this case with the problem of personal identity? Written in the late fifties of the 20th century, subsequently supplied with an appendix and addition, this book is still relevant. Much of what Lem foresaw has come true, and much more may still be coming true...