"Knowing how we know" is the subject of this book. Its authors present a new view of cognition that has important social and ethical impl...
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Jun 04, 2011
Rodrigo
rated it: 
I loved it!
There are a few things I didn't like about it, though.
For instance, the overall tone of the book was extremely arrogant. I know that may seem like a petty complaint, given the nature of the book, but this is major leagues conceit we are talking about. The author explicitly states at the beginning of the book that he intends to reform the totality of the scientific method, and not only that, the totality of knowledge as well, by establishing a new all-encompassing conceptual More...
There are a few things I didn't like about it, though.
For instance, the overall tone of the book was extremely arrogant. I know that may seem like a petty complaint, given the nature of the book, but this is major leagues conceit we are talking about. The author explicitly states at the beginning of the book that he intends to reform the totality of the scientific method, and not only that, the totality of knowledge as well, by establishing a new all-encompassing conceptual More...
Aug 03, 2010
Abailart
rated it:
This book came out of a series of lectures given by the writers as a contribution to a decision in 1980 by the Organization of Anerican States to research the many difficulties confronted in social communication and knowledge transfer.
It begins by unmasking the 'temptation of certainty' in all branches of knowledge and proceeds thence to present 'a coherent formulation of the foundation of communication as the biological being of man."
Clearly illustrated with diagra More...
It begins by unmasking the 'temptation of certainty' in all branches of knowledge and proceeds thence to present 'a coherent formulation of the foundation of communication as the biological being of man."
Clearly illustrated with diagra More...
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Dec 10, 2009
Magi
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This is the book that inspired me to give up fighting what I saw as mainstream unenlightened biological determinism in psychology, and enrol as a mature age student in psychology while a single parent of four. The language is difficult and challenging and the concepts complex, it took me many attempts to get it, but worth the effort. A classic, an all time favorite. I read it twenty years ago, after having the privelege of attending a workshop with the author, a delightful shamen of a man. His u
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Feb 07, 2010
DJ
rated it: 
Interested in cybernetics, theoretical biology, and philosophy but still find Dan Brown novels to require mental gymnastics? Put on your philosophical training wheels and give "Tree of Knowledge" a spin!
A mixture of dated scientific ideas, profound frameworks for thinking about living organisms, and unnecessarily complicated jargon, ToK is essentially the children's menu version of Maturana and Varela's Autopoiesis and Cognition papers on living organisms, communication, and More...
A mixture of dated scientific ideas, profound frameworks for thinking about living organisms, and unnecessarily complicated jargon, ToK is essentially the children's menu version of Maturana and Varela's Autopoiesis and Cognition papers on living organisms, communication, and More...
Mar 04, 2008
Nick
rated it:
“All doing is knowing and all knowing is doing” (27)
“all knowing is an action by the knower” (34)
“Everything said is said by someone.”
Unities: A unity (entity, object) is brought forth by an act of distinction. Conversely, each time we refer to a unity in our descriptions, we are implying the operation of distinction that defines it and makes it possible. (40)
“Our proposition is that living beings are characterized in that, literally, they are continually sel More...
“all knowing is an action by the knower” (34)
“Everything said is said by someone.”
Unities: A unity (entity, object) is brought forth by an act of distinction. Conversely, each time we refer to a unity in our descriptions, we are implying the operation of distinction that defines it and makes it possible. (40)
“Our proposition is that living beings are characterized in that, literally, they are continually sel More...
Nov 11, 2007
Ricardo
rated it:
El Árbol de Conocimiento, escrito por Humberto Maturana y por el inolvidable biólogo y maestro budista Francísco Varela, fue un libro que me marcó hace años, cuando comenzaba a conocer esta cultura de estudios y comprensión de la mente y el conocimiento. El conocimiento como forma de hacer, partiendo de formas de vida simples hasta el conocimiento humano y la formación de sistemas.
Es un libro que logra superar la visión reduccionista y mecánica de la mente como máquina de informaic More...
Es un libro que logra superar la visión reduccionista y mecánica de la mente como máquina de informaic More...
Jun 23, 2010
Georges
rated it:
Amazing book on the building of complexity in biological beings. Complexity in inherent of living things, how simple unicelular being evolved to more complex ones and how the nervous system works. I was not aware that a portuguese version was available, so I´ve bought this book based on the recommendation I´ve found in Daniel Dennet books. This book is cited in many other ones and should be read by everyone looking for a better understanding of biology basics.
Aug 14, 2011
Pili
rated it:
Maturana la lleva, al igual que Cuadra, Alvaro....
Buen libro para darle una "vuelta de tuerca" a las cosas cotidianas y no tanto...
Buen libro para darle una "vuelta de tuerca" a las cosas cotidianas y no tanto...
Jan 19, 2012
DwyerTeacher
rated it:
A great look at biological systems and an interesting application o society and language. Warrants further research.
Jul 13, 2009
Joshua
rated it: 
A "friend" of mine said this was a good book. Don't bet on it. Pass it by if you have the chance.
Apr 28, 2008
Joe
rated it:
Unpacking all the ideas and thinking in this book would take a lifetime. Essentially, the book discusses autopoiesis -- a process that the authors posit is universal by which objects in the physical world (living and non-living)incorporate information from their environment into themselves.
Mar 30, 2008
Luis
rated it:
I am serious when i say that no philosophical argument that does not take this view in consideration, is very likely to be fatally flawed.
It is not normal for me to say that.
It is not normal for me to say that.
Aug 12, 2008
History of life: biology, microbiology, integrated with philosophy, study of cognition. To be continued when I finish reading it.
Dec 17, 2009
Jrobertus
rated it:
a uu book group choice. i cannot think of a more worthless book. poorly written, irrational and obscure.
Jun 24, 2008
Sam
rated it:
This book makes you look at an interpretation of the world brought forth in linquistics.
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