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Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living (1980)

by H.R. Maturana, Francisco J. Varela

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1965137,560 (4.15)2
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.… (more)
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The work is as philosophical as it is scientific, even in discussions of neurophysiology, which was particularly refreshing aspect of the book. It has a very interesting framework, and there are number of pragmatic problems that are handled in a connected manner. Also some people might feel a bit of 'Kant' in it. The one downside is, it over explains 'What autopoiesis is not.'
I definitely recommend this book. ( )
  iSatyajeet | Nov 21, 2018 |
The work is as philosophical as it is scientific, even in discussions of neurophysiology, which was particularly refreshing aspect of the book. It has a very interesting framework, and there are number of pragmatic problems that are handled in a connected manner. Also some people might feel a bit of 'Kant' in it. The one downside is, it over explains 'What autopoiesis is not.'
I definitely recommend this book. ( )
  iSatyajeet | Nov 21, 2018 |
Showing 2 of 2
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
H.R. Maturanaprimary authorall editionscalculated
Varela, Francisco J.main authorall editionsconfirmed
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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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Questo è un libro di biologia che spiega i sistemi viventi come sistemi che si auto-producono (autopoietici) e la cognizione come il processo che caratterizza questa auto-produzione (autopoiesi). Ma è anche un libro di teoria dei sistemi che presenta una nuova nozione di sistema auto-referenziale, oganizzativamente chiuso, che compensa le perturbazioni provocate dall'ambiente per conservare la sua organizzazione ma le cui trasformazioni non sono funzione degli stimoli dell'ambiente. Ed è infine un libro di filosofia che propone un approccio fenomenologico alla cognizione.
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