What makes a living system a living system? What kind of biological phenomenon is the phenomenon of cognition? These two questions have been freque...
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Jan 23, 2010
DJ
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Wow, I've never felt so mentally humbled in the shadow of a biologist. In the realm of arrogant physicists and mathematicians, biologists are seen as the housewives of science - keeping things clean and tidy while the real men do the work. I've met enough intelligent biologists to know that this is only the case most of the time, Maturana is a giant. I feel no shame in admitting that this was one of the most difficult books I've slogged through and that I'd often spend 10-15 minutes on a single
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Jul 18, 2011
It was one the first Book related to autopoiesis! I did read it 30 years ago, exprcting that authors and other will connect it with religion (Gid is the most autopoietic person, almost only He), philosophy (Plato, Spinisa, specially Hegel and Heidegger are nearer to autopoietic concepts than Maturanata and late Varela, who before death started to learn Indiana philosophy), specially i did expect it in psychology, economics, and law? Only Luhmann who i met 1992 satisfied my interest! Anyway autop
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May 19, 2011
Speedy
rated it:
Libro denso pero interesante. (Des)Afortunadamente basta con leer las dos introducciones (de Varela y de Maturana) para quedar enterado de todo. En realidad son 3 ensayos en uno: el de ambos (que originó todo), el de Maturana (explicando qué cree que debiera entenderse del libro) y el de Varela (colocando las cosas en perspectiva y haciendo una crítica al original). A mi juicio, vale la pena por el ensayo de Varela.
Jul 01, 2011
The anatomical and functional organization of the nervous system secures the synthesis of behavior, not a representation of the world (p. 22)
Feb 12, 2011
Laura
rated it: 
Profound and rich. A thrilling blend of biology and philosophy. Just my cup of tea. Also very influential.
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