Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the LivingThis is a bold, brilliant, provocative and puzzling work. It demands a radical shift in standpoint, an almost paradoxical posture in which living systems are described in terms of what lies outside the domain of descriptions. Professor Humberto Maturana, with his colleague Francisco Varela, have undertaken the construction of a systematic theoretical biology which attempts to define living systems not as they are objects of observation and description, nor even as in teracting systems, but as self-contained unities whose only reference is to them selves. Thus, the standpoint of description of such unities from the 'outside', i. e. , by an observer, already seems to violate the fundamental requirement which Maturana and Varela posit for the characterization of such system- namely, that they are autonomous, self-referring and self-constructing closed systems - in short, autopoietic systems in their terms. Yet, on the basis of such a conceptual method, and such a theory of living systems, Maturana goes on to define cognition as a biological phenomenon; as, in effect, the very nature of all living systems. And on this basis, to generate the very domains of interac tion among such systems which constitute language, description and thinking. |
Contents
Dedication 2357 | 3 |
Cognitive Function in Particular | 15 |
Problems in the Neurophysiology of Cognition | 41 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living H.R. Maturana,F.J. Varela Limited preview - 2012 |
Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living H.R. Maturana,F. J. Varela Limited preview - 1991 |
Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living H.R. Maturana,F. J. Varela No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
Accordingly afferent influences allopoietic ambience anatomical apparent arise autopoietic machine autopoietic organization autopoietic space autopoietic system autopoietic unities basic circularity biological phenomenology biological phenomenon characterize circular organization cognitive domain composite unity concatenation conduct coupling deformations describe determined distinction domain of descriptions domain of discourse domain of interactions effector areas effector surfaces elements embodied environment evolution exists explain Francisco Varela hence historical network homeostatic human identity implies independent entities individual internal linguistic domain linguistic interactions living organization living systems maintain constant maintenance manner Maturana metadomain mode necessarily nerve cells nervous system neuronal activity neuropils niche notion observer ontogeny operation organization of living orienting behavior orienting interactions participation particular perturbations phenomena phenomenal domain phenomenological domain physical autopoietic physical space poiesis poietic possible properties recursive reference relations of production relative activity representations result self-referring self-reproduction simple unity social system society specified subordinated takes place teleonomy tion transformation unit of interactions valid