Abstract
The paper applies a cybernetic theory of the dynamism of systems to create a model of the evolution of literary paradigms in a macro-historical perspective, that is, from the hypothetical beginnings of literature up to the present day. The physical properties of the three main dynamic phases (exodynamic, static, endodynamic) determine the characteristics of the three main historical literary paradigms, referred to as magico-religious, philosophic, and scientific. The
general systems model is then used to generate more detailed statements relevant to such problems as the dominant literary kind, mode, and style, the character of the protagonist, the ontological nature of described events, the social role of the author, the status of the author within the text, the social role of literature and so on.
