Autopoiesis: A Landmark Concept in Biology and Cognition

Origins of Autopoiesis

The concept of autopoiesis, meaning "self-making," was first defined and employed by Chilean biologists Humberto Maturana and his student Francisco Varela.

The Tree of Knowledge and Autopoiesis

Maturana and Varela's 1987 book, "The Tree of Knowledge," attempted to integrate biology, cognition, and epistemology through the lens of autopoiesis.

Autopoiesis is the characteristic of living systems to maintain their own organization through continuous self-renewal and self-organization.

Significance of Autopoiesis

Autopoiesis has become a fundamental concept in systems theory and philosophy of biology. It has implications for understanding the nature of life, cognition, and the relationship between biology and epistemology.