Autopoiesis and Cognition

The Realization of the Living

By: H.R. Maturana, F.J. Varela

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Paperback | 31 August 1991

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180 Pages

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This 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.

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Non-Fiction Medicine Science Biology, Life Sciences Philosophy Philosophy of The Mind Psychology Science in General Philosophy of Science

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Hardcover

Published: 30th April 1980

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Editorial Preface
General Table Of Contents
Foreword
Introduction (by Professor Maturana) Biology Of Cognition Dedication
Introduction
The Problem
Cognitive Function in General
The Observer
The Living System
Evolution
The Cognitive Process
Cognitive Function in Particular
Nerve Cells
Architecture
Function
Representation
Description
Thinking
Natural Language
Memory and Learning
The Observer
Problems in the Neurophysiology of Cognition
Conclusions
Post Scriptum Autopoiesis: The Organization Of The Living Preface (by Sir Stafford Beer) Introduction
On Machines, living and Otherwise
Machines
Living Machines
Dispensability of Teleonomy
Purposelessness
Individuality
Embodiments of Autopoiesis
Descriptive and Causal Notions
Molecular Embodiments
Origin
Diversity of Autopoiesis
Subordination to the Condition of Unity
Plasticity of Ontogeny
Reproduction, a Complication of the Unity
Evolution, a Historical Network
Second and Third Order Autopoietic Systems
Presence of Autopoiesis
Biological Implications
Epistemological Implications
Cognitive Implications Appendix: The Nervous System
Glossary
Bibliography
Index Of Names
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Autopoiesis and Cognition

The Realization of the Living

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Hardcover

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