Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living
by H.R. Maturana, Francisco J. Varela
Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science (42)
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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 show more 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. show lessTags
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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.
I definitely recommend this book.
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.
I definitely recommend this book.
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.
Jul 2, 2015Italian
> Babelio : https://www.babelio.com/livres/Varela-Autonomie-et-connaissance--Essai-sur-le-vi...
> BAnQ (Houde R., Le devoir, 7 oct. 1989, p. 4) : https://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/2762627
> Le modèle de l’enaction,
In: Revue 3e millénaire, n°37, Automne 1995 (p. 29)
> AUTONOMIE ET CONNAISSANCE Essai sur le vivant, de Francisco Varela. — La biologie et les sciences de la cognition sont encore largement tributaires de la métaphore de l’ordinateur et du paradigme de la commande. Ce livre explore une autre voie, complémentaire de la précédente : celle de l’autonomie. L’être vivant constitue son propre cadre d’existence et de sens, il est pour soi : ce que certains philosophes ont de tout temps affirmé est show more aujourd’hui entré dans les laboratoires.
Quels sont les mécanismes de l’autonomie du vivant, au niveau de la cellule, de l’organisme, des écosystèmes ? En quoi le paradigme de l’autonomie renouvelle-t-il notre façon de concevoir les activités cognitives des êtres vivants ?
Ce livre offre des réponses claires et précises, illustrées par l’étude du système nerveux et du système immunitaire. Édition du Seuil, 1989 - 250 p.
—3e millénaire, (12), Été 1989 show less
> BAnQ (Houde R., Le devoir, 7 oct. 1989, p. 4) : https://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/2762627
> Le modèle de l’enaction,
In: Revue 3e millénaire, n°37, Automne 1995 (p. 29)
> AUTONOMIE ET CONNAISSANCE Essai sur le vivant, de Francisco Varela. — La biologie et les sciences de la cognition sont encore largement tributaires de la métaphore de l’ordinateur et du paradigme de la commande. Ce livre explore une autre voie, complémentaire de la précédente : celle de l’autonomie. L’être vivant constitue son propre cadre d’existence et de sens, il est pour soi : ce que certains philosophes ont de tout temps affirmé est show more aujourd’hui entré dans les laboratoires.
Quels sont les mécanismes de l’autonomie du vivant, au niveau de la cellule, de l’organisme, des écosystèmes ? En quoi le paradigme de l’autonomie renouvelle-t-il notre façon de concevoir les activités cognitives des êtres vivants ?
Ce livre offre des réponses claires et précises, illustrées par l’étude du système nerveux et du système immunitaire. Édition du Seuil, 1989 - 250 p.
—3e millénaire, (12), Été 1989 show less
Mar 6, 2019 (Edited)French
Librería 5. Estante 3.
Dec 3, 2019Spanish
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Francisco J. Varela is Director of Research at the French National Research Council and head of the Laboratory of Cognitive Psychophysiology at the Hospital of the Salpetriere, Paris.
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- Canonical title
- Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living
- Original title
- De máquinas y seres vivos : autopoiesis : la organización de lo vivo
- Alternate titles
- De máquinas e seres vivos : autopoiese; a organização do vivo
- Original publication date
- 1980
- People/Characters
- .
- Original language
- Spanish
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- Members
- 210
- Popularity
- 155,021
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.30)
- Languages
- 7 — Dutch, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 12
- ASINs
- 1
