Dr. Randall Whitaker

  TOPICAL INDEX:
Autopoiesis and Cognition (Maturana & Varela, 1980)

This material may be freely cited, copied, and/or distributed, so long as the author attribution is included.

Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living

Humberto R. Maturana & Francisco J. Varela
Dordrecht: D. Reidel, 1980.
Vol. 42: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science
ISBN: 90-277-1015-5
ISBN: 90-277-1016-3

You can purchase this book now through the Observer Web Book Shop

Randall Whitaker

This index was originally an ASCII text file distributed over the Internet starting in 1993.

The original HTML version of this index was constructed by Kevin McGee, February 1996.

Thanks, Kevin!

This latest HTML version was created in February 2001 by Randall Whitaker.

Introduction

Unfortunately, the book does not have a topical index. This is a serious problem for both the new reader and the scholarly researcher. I have compiled the following index to correct this problem.

Names of Persons

Names of persons are not included herein, because the book contains an Index of Names (p. 141).

Nomenclature

Comments in parentheses are recommendations for the reader. An asterisk (*) indicates a "wild card" entry which can be matched to anything: e.g., 'linguistic *' means 'linguistic domain / interactions', etc. Notations beginning with a dash ('-') indicate another relevant term: e.g., 'teleology (-onomy)' means a reference to either 'teleology' and / or 'teleonomy'.

'Hot Links'

Page entries which look like this: 00 are hot-linked to the Observer Web Archive Edition of Maturana's 1974 paper Biology of Cognition, which comprises the first section of this book. Clicking on one of these hot links will take you directly to that page in the online Archive Edition.

absolute reality: 121

abstract thinking: 13,25,29 ff.

and language: 30

adaptation:

and evolution: 105

conservation of: xxi, 105

aesthetic seduction: 58

aim: (see purpose)

allopoiesis: 80

and biological explanation: 113-114

allopoietic machines:

as parts of autopoietic machine: 82

autopoietic machine seen as: 81 ff., 110

boundaries observer-dependent: 81

defined: 80, 135

identity is observer-dependent: 80-81

input-output ascription: 51, 72, 81

non-autonomy of -: 80

allopoietic system(s): 68

and input / output ascriptions: 51, 72, 81

allo-referring/-ed system (cf. allopoietic -): xiii,51

ambience: (cf. environment) 9, 99, 127, 130

connoted by ontogeny: 99, 130

descriptions as part of -: 134

niche as part of --: 9

of composite (coupled) unity: 108, 110

phenomenology of -: 131

recurrent configurations of: 130

reciprocal specification of (in coupling): 108, 110, 130

ambiguity: (of observer of linguistic interaction) 33

analysis: 63

anxiety: (cf. uncertainty)24

"Anything said is said by an observer": 8

artificial systems: 47, 114

as living systems: 83

distinct from autopoietic machines: 79

projected onto living systems: 51

purposeful design of: 51, 114

association:

and neurophysiology: 43

and 'meaning': 43

autocatalytic processes: 94

autonomy: xiii, 73 ff., 80

defined: 135

autopoiesis:

and phenomenology: 113 ff., 118 ff.

and self-reproduction: 101 ff., 105 ff., 110 .

change in (way of realizing / mode of): 99, 103, 105, 119

the word: xvii

necessary & sufficient definition for living: 82 ff., 88 ff., 112

autopoietic machines / systems:

as homeostats: 78 ff., 92

autonomy of -: 80

boundaries self-determined: 81, 88 ff., 90-91, 109

coupling to constitute new unity: 108 ff.

coupling with internal states: 120 ff.

defined: 78 ff., 135

evolution of: 102 ff., 110 ff.

higher-order: 110 ff.

identity / individuality: 80-81, 90-92, 97, 107, 115 ff.

input / output don't exist: 81, 98, 110

integration into larger systems: 82, 108 ff., 110

irreducibility to parts: 82

limit to higher-order: 111

no 'intermediate' -: 94

not defined by spatial relations: 80

origin of -: 93 ff., 105 ff.

recognition of -: 109

second-order -: 107 ff., 110

seen as allopoietic machines: 81 ff., 110

self-reproduction in: 101 ff., 105 ff., 110 ff.

third-order -: 107 ff., 110

unity in: 109, 111

autopoietic organization: (see also organization) 80 ff., 88, ff.

autopoietic space: 91-93, 97, 110

and compensatory change: 99

defined: 135

behavior: (cf. conduct)

a posteriori evaluation: 36

and nervous system: 18,20 ff.,22,25 ff.,38,43, 124 ff.

as receptor / effector correlation: 26,38,45

constancy over time: 37,43,45, 124

contradictions in -: 52

dependence on structure: 31,38, 119

determinism in: 27,31,45, 124

diversity of -: 119

evolution of -: 102 ff.

historicality in: 43,45, 102 ff., 119, 124, 133 ff.

instinctive: 24

learned: 24,43 ff., 124, 132-133

'logic of': 52

mode / tone of -: 46,52

recursivity of: 25

self-conscious -: 121

validity of- : 57

vis a vis observer: 18,36 ff., 99, 119, 124 ff.

 

behavioral coupling: 120

biological explanation: 135

biological phenomena / -ology: 112 ff.

and individual organization: 115 ff., 117-118

and species / societal perspectives: 117-118

as autopoietic phenomenology in physical space: 114, 115 ff.

as subclass of mechanical phenomena: 113, 116

defined: 135

vs. statical - / allopoietic -: 113 ff.

boundary (cf. topology):

and constitutive relations: 90-91, 109

and recognition of autopoietic system: 109

of autopoietic machine: 81, 88, 90-91

of nervous system: 22

of organism: 20

categorization: 63

causality:

causal relations: xviii, 66

and historicality: 102, 124, 128

in-/external agencies in: 128

cell:

as autopoietic system: x, 90, 109

in visual apparatus: xiv ff.

molecular embodiment of-: 90 ff., 109

cellular autopoietic network: x

change:

and nervous system: 128

conservative: 99 ff.

evolutionary: 11, 102 ff.

historical: 102, 115, 128

innovative: 99 ff.

internal: 11

social: 70-71 ff.

choice (of frame of reference for values): 57 ff.

circular organization (cf. organization): xvii, xviii, 9 ff.,48

and higher-order systems: 11,12

circularity:

and nervous system: 18, 125 ff.

basic -: 9,11,18

of component production: xiv,48, 89 ff.

in living systems: 9 ff.,48

class:

of interactions: 10

of unities: xx

code / decode (cf. information): 53 ff., 68 ff., 90, 102

defined: 135

cognition: xiv ff., 6

as biological phenomenon: 7,13,49

defined: 49

observer's vs. animals': 49

cognitive domain:

as domain of descriptions: 119, 121

as interactions: 10,13,38,49, 119

'bounded but unlimited': 51, 121

change in during ontogeny: 119

defined: 136

determined by mode of autopoiesis: 119

expansion via interactions / instruments: 38

in communication: 28,30 ff.,32

observer limited within -: 121

'within a cognitive domain': 13

cognitive system:

defined: 13

color: xiv ff.

communication (cf. language; linguistic *):

as coupling: 120

cognitive domain as basis: 14,27,32

vs. interaction: 28

communicative domain (cf. consensual domain; coupling): 136

communicative interaction: 120

compensable deformations (cf. disturbances / perturbations): 108, 120

compensation:

and coupling: 108, 120

conservative (change): 99

for deformation: 92-93, 98 ff., 108, 119, 120

for perturbation: 79, 81, 99, 108, 119, 127

from observer's viewpoint: 119, 127

innovative (change): 99

compensatory behavior: 120

compensatory changes: 99, 108, 120

complementarity:

ascribed by observer: xxiii

components:

change in (for compensation): 99

distinct from educed parts: 48-49

factibility of -: 89, 91, 94-95

physical: 81, 88 ff., 92 ff., 112 ff.

production of: 48, 79, 88, 91 ff.

composite unity: (see 'unity)

concepts: 30

conduct:

and anatomy: 31, 124

and learning: 37,43 ff., 124, 132-133

cooperative: 32

defined: 124

determined by nervous system's architecture:20 ff.,24 ff.,43 ff., 124 ff.

determined by domain: 97

elementary unit of nervous system: 19

in orientation / language: 30,32, 120

mode / tone of- : 46

recursivity in: 25

temporality in: 124 ff.

connotation: 28,30,32

emotional - (in learning): 37 ff.

consensual domain (cf. coupling; linguistic *): xxix,32,34, 55, 107 ff., 120

and coupling: 107 ff., 120

and explanations: 55

and orientation / language: 32 ff.,34,50, 120

consensual distinction: 121

consensus: 32

conservative (compensatory) change: 99

consistency (of the theory as guarantor of its value): 6, 88 ff.

constancy of organization: 81, 88 ff.

constitutive relations: (cf. relations of constitution) 90 ff.

context:

and cognition: xxiii, 10

and communicative interactions: 120

and environment: 99

and rationality: 52

and relations of constitution / order: 89

and teleology (-nomy): 85 ff., 87

defined by observer's domain of interactions:10,32,33,52, 109, 120

definitive of systems: xiii, 68, 85 ff., 87, 109

'- of observation': 87

contradictions : (in behavior) 52

control: (see also regulation)

appearance of: xxii, 90

ascribed by observer: xxii, 90

cooperative conduct / interactions: 32,50,57

cooperative domain: 50,57

copy : (form of reproduction) 100 ff.

and culture / social learning: 106

and evolution / history: 103 ff., 106

and heteropoiesis: 102

external to autopoiesis: 101

in domain of interactions: 106

cosmology: (essay as-) xviii

coupling: 107, 120

and communication / language: 120

and evolution / selection: 108, 110 ff.

behavioral -: 120

between autopoietic and allopoietic systems: 108

between nervous system & organism: 127 ff., 130 ff.

defined: 136

recurrent: 130

with system itself (internally): 120 ff.

creativity:

and cognitive domain: 51

and language: xxix

in social system: xxvii ff.

necessarily "antisocial": xxviii

restriction of: xxviii

cultural evolution: 106

cultural learning: 106

cybernetics: 65, 74

deja vu: 38

deformation : (cf. disturbance; perturbation) 92-93, 98, 119

and definition for domain of interactions / ambience: 118 ff., 130

and ontogeny: 98

compensation for: 92-93, 98, 108, 119

from observer's viewpoint: 119

indistinguishability of source: 98 ff., 128 ff.

reciprocal -: 108

sequence of: 98 ff., 108

sources of: 98 ff., 108, 128 ff.

denotation: 28,30 ff.

and observer: 32

symbolic: 30

description: xviii,8,26 ff.

and Berkeley: 53

and thinking: 30,39

as component of ambience: 133 ff.

as source of perturbation: 133 ff.

constrained by organization: 39

first-order (= Description): 27 ff.,32,40

in communication: 14,27,31 ff.,33,35, 120 ff.

'logic of': 39,52

of living systems: 48 ff., 112

recursivity of: 39 ff., 121

relating behavior & niche: 27

second-order (=3D description): 28 ff.,32,52,55

descriptive conduct: (knowledge as -) 119

descriptive domain: (see domain of descriptions)

determinism:

limited to description / describer isomorphism: 53

in behavior: 27,43 ff.,52, 120, 124 ff.

in development: 27

in learning: 43 ff., 124

in orientation: 33, 120

in neuron function:15-19,25, 125 ff.

state- / structural -: 25,52, 120, 124 ff.

development: 87

dimension: (see referential dimension) 133

discourse: 39,52

as mode of behavior: 52

rational -: 52

disintegration: xxi,10, 81, 87, 98, 112, 131

distinction:

as fundamental cognitive operation: xix, xxii, 73

as eduction of unity: xix, xxii, 73, 94, 96, 109

as operative (vs. conceptual) notion: 96

autopoiesis as -: 94

definitive of domain: 96

definitive of unity: 96, 109

diversity:

defined: 136

in behavior: 119, 124

in biology: 73-74

domain:

ambience as -: 99, 127, 130

biological: 116

cognitive -: see cognitive domain

consensual -: see consensual domain

cultural -: 42,57

defined by distinction: 96

defined by unity: 116

descriptive -: xxii,52,55, 89 ff., 121

historical -: 107

irreducibility one-to-another: 55, 89 ff., 116

linguistic -: see linguistic domain

of changes: 80

of compensations: 81

of descriptions -: see domain of descriptions

of discourse: 39, 96

of existence: 96

of homeostatic trajectories: 97

of interactions -: see domain of interactions

of ontogenic transformations: 97

of recursive interactions (cf. observer): 121

of relations: 8

of self-observation: 121

perceptive: 109

phenomenal -: see phenomenal domain

phenomenological -: see phenomenological domain

topological -: 79, 89

domain of descriptions: xviii,52,55, 75, 89 ff., 96, 119, 121

and autopoietic systems: 89 ff., 119

and cognitive domain: 119, 121

and explanations: 75, 121, 133 ff.

and history: 133 ff.

and teleology (-nomy): 85 ff.

meta-* (and emergence of observer): 121

recursivity in: 39 ff., 121

domain of interactions: xxi,8, 10ff.,21,30,55, 81, 117, 118ff.

and cognitive domain: 119

and language: 30,34,41

and linguistic domains: 41, 120

and phenomenology: 117, 118 ff.

and physical laws: 89 ff., 92 ff., 117

and structure: 21,39, 81, 89 ff., 97, 119

and time / sequence: 133

apparent (in emergence of observer): 121

as cognitive domain: 10,21,38,49,55, 118 ff.

bounded nature of -: 119

cooperative: 57

defined: 118 ff.

defined by organization: 9 ff.,21,39,49, 81, 97

determinant of in-/external ascription: 128

determined by structure: 119

expanded by language: 35

expanded by nervous system: 13

expanded by 'time': 24

not revealed by decomposition of autopoietic machine: 82

predictive nature of: 10

effector surfaces: 20 ff.,25 ff.,51

role in maintaining constancy for receptor surfaces: 51

emotion:

in learning: 37 ff.

emotional tone: 46

empiricism: 63, 66 ff., 83

energy: 89

entity: (cf. unity)

defined by interactions: 40,52

'external' ascribed by observer: 119

'independent': 52

environment: (cf. ambience)

and adaptation: 6, 98 ff.

as source of deformation: 98, 119, 130

defined by observer: 10, 98 ff., 119

information from: 6

epistemology: (cf. knowledge) xxi,5,39,52, 65, 115 ff., 119, 121

and analysis of unities: 49, 89 ff., 96 ff., 115 ff.

and 'scientific' observation: 115 ff.

knowledge as descriptive conduct: 119

observer-dependency of theory: 47

observer-relativity of 'knowledge': 119 ff., 121

substratum for: 39,52

ethics: xxiv ff., xxviii,57 ff., 69 ff., 117 ff.

and love: xxvi

and self-observation: 57

and social stability / change: xxvii ff., 117-118

implications of theory: 57 ff., 69 ff., 117 ff.

significance of action: xxvi

"Everything said is said by an observer": xix, xxii

evolution:11 ff.,24, 74, 96 ff., 102 ff., 105 ff., 117 ff.

and adaptation: 105

and autopoiesis: 103 ff., 110 ff.

and circular organization:11

and conduct: 31

and 'copy' (reproduction): 103 ff.

and coupling: 108, 110 ff.

and higher-order systems: 110 ff.

and history: 102 ff., 105

and identity(-ies): 104

and languages: 30 ff.

and 'replication': 103 ff.

and 'self-reproduction': 104 ff., 106, 111

and (sequential) reproduction: 103 ff., 105 ff.

and species: 106 ff., 115 ff., 117

and structure: 103 ff., 105

and variation: 105

as consequence of self-reproduction: 104 ff.

as determinant of 'life': 83, 96

as biological explanation: 115, 117

consensual (cultural): 41

determinism in: 31

defined: 103, 136

inessential for living organization: 11, 83, 96

origin of-: 105 ff.

secondary nature of-: 96, 112

selection in-: 104 ff., 111, 117

social: 70-71, 106, 117

sociological ramifications: 117 ff.

vs. ontogeny: 104

existence: (of unity) 96 ff.

experimentation as theory-dependent: 83

explanation:

and temporality: 102 ff., 124

as reformulation: 75, 102, 121

defined: 136

forms of: 75, 115, 121

of behavior / conduct: 124 ff.

of biological phenomena: 115 ff.

spoken: 39

through synthesis: 47,55

external entities: 119

external interactions: 23 ff., 98 ff.

external states: 23

as deformation sources: 98, 127-128

vs. internal -: 41, 98, 127-128

factibility: 89, 91, 94-95

fantasies: 122

feedback: 78

frame of reference:

choice of (for ethics): 57-58

common (cf. language): 57

in interpreting behavior: 52

and (ir-)rationality: 52

function:

defined: 136

ascribed by observer: 86

explanatory value of-: 86

general cases & experience: 49

glossary: 135

goals: xiii,50, 66, 77, 85 ff., 87

in learning: 36,44

explanatory value of-: 86

grammar: 34

hallucination: xiv-xv

heteropoiesis: 85, 90, 110

defined: 136

and 'copy' reproduction: 102

higher-order systems: 11, 109 ff.

historical network: 102 ff., 106 ff.

historicality: 24,27

and behavior: 43, 124 ff., 133 ff.

and evolution: 102 ff., 115, 117

and explanation: 102 ff., 115

and language: 34

and nervous system: 131 ff., 133 ff.

and learning: 35,43, 99, 124, 133 ff.

history:

and conduct / behavior: 124, 133 ff.

and explanation: 102 ff., 115, 124

as causal agent: 124, 133 ff.

defined: 102, 136

evolution and-: 102 ff., 115, 117

in domain of descriptions: 133 ff.

of biology: 74 ff.

ontogeny as-: 98 ff., 103, 130 ff.

homeostat / homeostatic machine / system: xxvii,48, 66

autopoietic systems as -: 66, 78 ff., 92, 98

defined: 136

feedback loops internal in-: 78

nervous system as -: 131

social system as --: xxvii

homeostatic trajectories: 97

'house-building' analogy: 53 ff.

hypocrisy: xxvii

idealism:

metaphysical: 53

subjective: 66

ideas: 30

identity: (cf. individuality)

and evolution: 104, 111, 117

and ontogeny: 104

and relations of order: 92

and relations of specification: 91

autopoiesis vs. earlier philosophical positions: 66 ff.

'despite appearances': 66

maintained through interactions: 9 ff., 66, 73, 97, 112

maintained under deformations: 80, 92-93, 98, 108, 112

of social systems: 70-71, 118

with respect to observer:10, 80-81, 92

individual:

living system as-: 87, 115 ff.

vs. social system: 117 ff.

individuality: 80-81, 87, 92

and biological explanation: 115 ff.

defined: 136

in history / evolution: 107, 115 ff., 117

inductive inference: 49 ff.

inductive nature of living systems: 27,49

inference: 49-50

information: 6,30 ff.,53 ff., 68 ff., 90, 115, 120

and biological explanation: 115 ff.

and communicative interaction: 120

and language: 31-32,50,57, 120

and realization of autopoietic system: 90

and (relations of-) specificity: 90

and reproduction: 102

created by 'listener': 32

'house-building' analogy: 53 ff.

in genetic / nervous systems: 53 ff., 102

innovative: (compensatory) changes 99

input:

and allopoietic machines: 81

and allo-referring systems: 51

and autopoietic machines: 81 ff., 98

and 'purpose': 86, 87

ascribed by observer: 38, 66, 81, 86

ascribed to allopoietic systems: 72, 81

to nervous system: 38,50, 128

input surface: 82

instinctive behavior: 24

instruments: 38

interaction:,21 ff., 116, 120

chain of interlocked -: 120

cooperative: 32

defining entity: 40

internal / external: 24 ff., 128

linguistic: see language / linguistic *

nervous system / relations: 21,23

physical: 21,23, 116

vs. communication: 28

interdisciplinary studies: 64 ff.

autopoiesis as: 65

interlocked interactions: 120

internal interactions: 23 ff.,29 ff.,38 ff., 81, 120 ff.

internal changes under perturbation: 81, 92-93, 98 ff., 127

internal states:

and evolution: 11-12

and thinking: 29 ff.,39, 120 ff.

as representations: 41, 121, 132

as deformation sources: 98, 120 ff., 128

interaction with:13,23 ff.,26,29 ff.,39, 98 ff., 120 ff., 128

vs. external -:23,41, 98, 127-128

irrational(-ity): 52

knowledge: (cf. epistemology)

and anxiety / uncertainty: 24,37 ff.

and time: 24

as action: xxii, 119

as descriptive conduct: 119

as reflection of ontogeny: 119

as key to cognition: 5

categorized: 63

change during ontogeny: 119

explanations for -: 55

no absolute -: 119, 121

'object of': 52

'objective' --: 5,52

relative to observer's cognitive domain: 119 ff., 121

language: (cf. linguistic *)

and thinking: 30

as information transfer: 32 ff.,50, 120

as symbol system: 30

basis for: 14,27 ff.,30 ff.

evolution and -:30 ff.

extending domain of interactions: 35

limitations of: xiii

learned behavior: 24,45

learning: 24,43 ff., 124, 132 ff.

and representations: 35,45, 132-133

and temporality: 124, 133

defined / described: 35 ff.,45, 132

observer ascribes -: 24,35,45, 133

linguistic behavior: 30 ff., 120

and historicality: 34, 133 ff.

as coupling: 120

as information transfer: 32 ff.,50, 120

as orientation: 30,34,50

as rational: 57

importance of: 34

linguistic domain: 28,32,41, 120

and meaning: 46, 120

and neurophysiology: 41 ff.

and observer: 121

and time: 46

and self-consciousness: 41 ff., 121

closed (internal): 121

defined: 120, 136

distinct from domain of autopoiesis: 120

explained via coupling: 120

explained by recursive orientation: 42,50, 120

requirements for: 41, 120

linguistic interactions: 42,50, 120

internal / recursive (cf. observer): 121

living machines: 78 ff., 82 ff.

living system: 9 ff.,48, 73 ff., 112 ff.

as machines: 76, 82

as physical autopoietic machines: 82, 86, 88 ff., 92 ff., 112 ff.

as unit of interactions: 9 ff., 87

circular organization of--: 9 ff.,48, 91 ff.

defined in physical space: 93-94, 97, 107, 112 ff.

defined via autopoiesis: 82 ff., 97, 112

description of: 48-49, 73 ff., 89 ff., 92 ff., 112 ff.

individuality in-: 87, 115 ff.

no discrimination made among classes / types: 76

'purposelessness' of -: 86, 87

logic:

of description: 39,52, 121

- = 'logic' of describer: 52 ff.

universal: 121

love: xxvi, xxix

machines: (cf. allopoietic / autopoietic / living -)

characterized: 77 ff.

defined: 136

living systems as-: 76, 77 ff., 82

maintenance of organization: 78-81, 87, 89, 92-93

mapping: (and 'copy'-ing) 100

materialism: 66

meaning: 42,43,46

and behavior: 46

and representations: 43

as observer's description: 43,46

effective in linguistic domain: 46, 120

mechanical phenomenology: 112 ff., 116, 136

mechanicism: 74-76, 113, 137

mechanism: 63, 113, 116

medium: xx ff.

memory: 36,45, 124, 132-133

metadomain:

of consensual distinctions: 121

of descriptions: xxii

and knowledge: xxii

molecular embodiment: (of autopoietic system) 90 ff.

molecular properties: (and rel's. of constitution / specification / order) 93 ff.

morality: 57 ff.

'motor car analogy' [Beer]: 66 ff.

multicellular organisms: 12, 97, 110

mutual orientation: 14,27 ff.,32, 120

natural selection: (cf. evolution; selection) 117

nerve cells: (see also neurons)

structure of: 15 ff., 125

not directly associable with specific behavior(s): 21

nervous system:

and 'information': 32,53, 127

and interactions: 18,20 ff.

and learning: 36 ff., 124 ff., 132-133

and linguistic domains: 41

and ontogeny: 126 ff., 129, 130 ff.

and 'representations': 1>18,41, 132, 134

and self-consciousness: 41

and vision: xiv ff.

architecture of: 15 ff.,19 ff., 125 ff., 129 ff.

boundary for: 22

closure of: xv,15 ff.,25,55, 127 ff., 129

connectivity in -: 127, 129

coupling to organism: 124-125, 128, 130 ff.

determining conduct: 20, 124 ff.

deterministic nature: 46, 125-127

diversity among species: 129

expanding domain of interactions: 13

explanation for: 47, 124 ff.

function of: 15 ff.,18,20 ff., 125 ff.

functional unit of: 19, 125

input(s) to: 38,50, 127, 128

localization in -: 22, 129

irreducibility to 'functional parts': 46

optimization of function:44

'pilot analogy': 51

referential states (subdomains) in-: 130

structural units of function not yet defined: 47

subservient to organization: 13,18

uniformity in: 22

unity in: 46

variability in: 19,44, 129 ff.

neurons: (see also nerve cells): 15 ff.,19 ff.,47

as allopoietic units: 125

structural / state-determinism in: 125-126

niche: 9,27

actualization of: 27

defined by interactions: 10,11,27

non-autopoietic dynamic systems: (e.g., a car) 79

novelty: (of relations)51

observation and explanation: 47, 121

of autopoietic systems: 89 ff.

of behavior: 52, 119, 124

observer:

and ambience: 99, 127

and artificial systems: 47, 83

and autopoietic systems: 109, 113 ff.

and communicative interactions: 120

and composite unity: 108 ff., 110

and determinism / predictability: 53, 124

and development: 87 ff

and environment: 119, 127, 128

and evolution: 104

and grammar: 34

and history: 102 ff., 104, 124, 133 ff.

and 'information': 54, 90, 120

and knowledge: xxii ff.,39,45, 119 ff., 121

and language: 14,24,27 ff.,30 ff.,32,34, 120 ff.

and learning: 37,45, 124, 132-133

and 'meaning': 43, 120

and memory: 37,45, 124, 133

and reproduction: 101, 104

and self-consciousness: 121 ff.

and social systems: xxviii, xxix,47

and systems: xviii,48, 82 ff., 104, 113 ff.

and system explanation:50, 66 ff., 75, 89 ff., 102 ff., 109 ff., 113 ff., 119

and teleology (-nomy): 85 ff.

and time: 18, 102 ff., 124

as defining context: 10,32,48 ff.,51-52, 99, 109 ff., 120

as defining frame of reference for behavior:52, 99, 113 ff., 119, 124

as defining relations: 55, 109

as defining systems: 66 ff., 82 ff., 108 ff.

as living system: 9,39, 120 ff.

as nexus among domains: 55, 75, 99, 119

as ultimate reference for any description: 8,10,39, 119

ascribing goals / purpose: 66, 86 ff.

ascribing in-/external causal agents: 128

ascribing (ir-)rationality: 52

ascribing representations: 132, 134

ascribing operant environment: 99, 119, 128

ascribing unity to entities: 48-49, 66, 87, 89 ff., 108 ff.

cognition of: 49, 119, 121

constrained by organization: 39 ff., 109

defined: 8 ff.,14,28 ff.,48, 121, 137

emergence of: 48, 120-122

interpreting behavior: 52, 99, 119, 120, 124

limited to descriptive / cognitive domain: 121

projecting theory onto system: 47

observer-independent properties: (and epistemology)52

ontogenic transformations: 97

ontogeny: 85, 87, 97 ff., 103

and identity: 104

and nervous system: 126 ff., 130 ff.

change in cognitive domain during -: 119

conservative -: 99

classes of -: 98

defined: 98, 103, 104, 137

determining 'ambience': 99, 130

in physical space: 98, 104

knowledge as reflection of -: 119

vs. evolution: 104

ontology: (cf. reality; existence)

existence of unities: 96 ff., 122

of space: 122

reality explained: 52 ff., 121

substratum for discourse / explanation: 39

operational closure:

of nervous system: 23,25

optimization: 44

organicism: 5 ff., 115

organization:

and information / coding: 90

and reproduction: 101

and simple unities: xx

and topological unity: 89, 91-93, 109

as focus for this theory: 76, 115 ff.

as variable homeostatically maintained: 78-79, 81, 87, 88 ff., 92-93

autopoietic -: 79-80, 88 ff., 91 ff.

constraining descriptions: 39

defined: 77, 137

defining class identity: xx, 91

defining class of interactions: 39

defining relations, not properties: 77, 113

explanation for: 47, 90

maintenance of-: 78-81, 87, 89, 91-93

of composite unity: xix, 77, 108 ff.

ways of maintaining: 81

orient / orientation: (cf. mutual-)14,27 ff.,30 ff.,33

and descriptions: 33

and evolution: 31

and syntax / semantics: 33

context-dependency: 33

defining linguistic domains: 42, 120

in animals: 31

origin: (of autopoietic systems) 93 ff., 105

evolutionary: 105

spontaneous -: 94-95

output(s): 51, 66

and nervous system: 128

and 'purpose': 86, 87

ascribed to allopoietic systems: 72, 81

ascribed to autopoietic * when treated as allopoietic *: 82

not applicable to autopoietic machines: 81, 98

output surface: 82

parapsychology: 68

participation:

of components in composite unity: xx, 94, 108

of humans in social system(s): xxviii, 118

path of autopoiesis: 108

path of structural changes: xxi

perception: xiv ff.

perceptive domain: 109

perspective: 21

perturbation: (cf. disturbance; deformation) xxi,51, 79, 81, 87

and coupling: 108, 120

and nervous system: 127 ff., 130

and reproduction: 101

compensation for: 79, 81, 108, 120

internal vs. external source: 98 ff., 120 ff., 127-128

recurrent: 130

reciprocal -: 108, 110, 120

phenomenal domain: xviii, xix,55

defined: xxi

simple vs. composite unity: xxi, 108

phenomenological domain: 55, 97, 116, 121

and logic: 121

defined: 137

defined by unity: 116

intersection among *s: 116

irreducibility (to another): 55, 116 ff.

phenomenology:

and deformation / perturbation: 98 ff., 112, 118 ff., 127 ff.

and reproduction: 101

biological: xviii, 73 ff., 88 ff., 97, 112 ff., 114

domain-specificity of-: 55, 96 ff., 110

explained via autopoiesis: 88 ff., 97, 109 ff., 112 ff.

mechanical: 112 ff., 116

statical: 112 ff.

phylogeny: 85

physical autopoietic machines: 81 ff., 88 ff., 113

as living systems: 82 ff., 88 ff., 112

phenomenology and -: 113 ff.

physical interactions: 21,23

and nervous activity: 23 ff.

and phenomenology: 97, 112 ff., 114, 118 ff.

physical laws: 81, 89, 112-113

physical neighborhood (-relations): (cf. relations of constitution) 91-92, 93

physical space: xviii, 81, 112 ff.

assumption of (for theory): 122

autopoiesis in -: 81, 84, 88, 93-94, 97, 109, 112 ff., 122

and mechanicism: 75, 113

defined: 137

living systems defined in-: 81, 88 ff., 93 ff., 97, 107, 109, 112 ff., 122

ontogeny in -: 98, 107, 112 ff.

phenomenology in-: 97 ff., 112 ff., 114

'pilot analogy' for living system behavior: 51

plasticity: 99

'point of view': 21

predictability::

and description / describer isomorphism: 53

of 'machine': 82-83, 86

of 'living system': 82-83

prediction: 86, 122

in descriptive domain: 122

Principles of Biological Autonomy (Varela, 1979): ix

processes:

definitive of autopoietic machines: 79, 108 ff., 113

definitive of biological phenomena: 113, 122

production of components:

definitive of autopoiesis: 79, 91 ff., 108 ff.

projection of theory onto system: 47

properties:

definitive of physical / statical phenomena: 113

of components in machines: 77 ff., 81, 92 ff., 112 ff.

psychology: 65

purpose: (see also: goals; teleology / -nomy) 66, 86 ff.

and machines: 77 ff., 136

as simplifying explanations: 78

ascribed by observer: 85 ff., 87

defined: 136 / 137

defined via input / output / context: 86, 87

dispensability of -: 85 ff.

explanatory value of-: 86

rational: (-ity) 52

in linguistic behavior: 57

rationalism: (-ist) 63, 66

reactive perspective: (cf. emotional tone) 46

reality: (cf. ontology; epistemology)

and Description: 40

and descriptions: 52 ff., 121

capacity of observer to describe: 119, 121

recall: see memory

receptor surfaces: 20 ff.,24 ff.

recurrent perturbations: 130

reciprocity: 108 ff.

in coupling: 107 ff., 120

- of deformations: 108, 120

- of disturbances: 108

- of perturbations: 110

recursion:

in behavior: 23 ff.

in description: 28 ff.,35, 121

in interactions: 121

in orientation: 42

reductionism: xxi, 63

impossibility of: xxi,40

of autopoietic machines to allopoietic parts: 82

reference:

and distinction: xxii

frame of- (and behavior): 52

referential dimension: 133

referential states: 130

reflex:

characterized: 29

vs. 'thinking': 29 ff.

regulation: 68 ff., 90 (see also control)

and relations of order: 90, 91 ff.

defined: 137

relations:

and interactions: 38-39

and 'universal logic': 121

and nervous system function: 21,23,38, 128 ff.

as focus for theory: 76

as the key 'properties' of system components: 77

as 'the stuff of systems': 63

ascribed by observer: 38,51,55, 109

change in (for compensation): 99

defining machines: 77, 113

discrimination of: 38,51,55

in theory (cf. artificial systems): 47,5163

physical vs. processual: 113

'pure': 13

spatial - & autopoiesis: 80, 109

topological: 109

relations of constitution: (also 'constitutive relations')

and composite unities: 110

and geometric / energetic properties: 93

defined: 88, 90-91, 137

not exclusive to autopoietic systems: 93

relations of contiguity:

defined: xxi

and "control": xxii

relations of order:

and composite unities: 110

and molecular properties: 93 ff.

and 'regulation': 90

as descriptive notion: 89

defined: 88, 91 ff., 137

not exclusive to autopoietic systems: 93

relations of specification / specificity:

and chemical properties: 93

and composite unities: 110

and identity: 91, 110

and 'information' / 'code': 90

as descriptive notion: 89

defined: 88, 137

not exclusive to autopoietic systems: 93

relativity:

of truth & values: 57 ff.

of knowledge: 119, 121

replication: 100 ff.

and evolution: 103 ff.

external to autopoiesis: 101

representations: 14,22 ff.,28,41, 99, 121, 132, 134

and communication: 28,53 ff.

and 'meaning': 43

and memory: 36,45, 124, 132-133

and nervous system: 22 ff.,25,41, 132, 134

apparent (cf. emergence of observer): 121

as explanations: 39, 121

as internal states: 41, 121, 132

ascribed by observer: 132, 134

of environment / ambience: 99, 127, 132, 134

'house-building' analogy: 53 ff.

reproduction: 100 ff.

and evolution: 12, 96, 100 ff., 103, 111

and 'information': 102

and phenomenology: 101

as 'copy': 100-101, 103 ff., 106

as determinant of 'life': 83, 96 ff.

as 'replication': 100, 103 ff.

as 'self-reproduction': 101

defined: 137

dependent on autopoiesis: 97, 100

dependent on nature of unity: 102

inessential for living organization: 11, 83, 96

secondary nature of-: 96, 100, 112

sequential -: 103 ff.

scholasticism: 63, 66

second-order autopoietic systems: 107 ff., 110

selection: 104 ff., 111, 117

defined: 137

social ascription of -: 117 ff.

self-consciousness: 14,29,35,41,55, 121

defined: 121, 137

equated with self-observation: 121

self-observation: 14,41, 121

equated with self-consciousness: 121

self-reference: xiii, 10

self-referr-ed/-ing system: xiii,10,12,50

definitive of own boundary: 20

'pilot analogy': 51

self-reproduction: 101 ff., 104

and evolution: 104 ff., 111

and 'information': 102

defined: 137 ff.

limited to autopoietic systems: 101

semantics: 33

inseparability from syntax: 33

'meaning': 43

sensory surfaces: 20

sequential reproduction: 103 ff., 106

simple unity: see 'unity'

social abuse: xxix, 117

social phenomena: xxv, 117

social system: xxiv ff., 117 ff.

and autopoiesis of constituents: xxiv, xxv, 117-118

and language: xxiv, xxvi

as biological / autopoietic systems: 70 ff., 118

as homeostatic system: xxvii, 71

as medium for constituents' ontogeny: xxv, 106

change in --: xxvii ff., 70 ff., 106

conservatism of: xxvi ff.

definitive of its domain: xxv

evolution / biology as justification for: 117 ff.

hypocrisy in --: xxvii

Maturana / Varela disagreement over -: 70, 118

natural --: xxiv

non-hierarchical: xxix

not justified by biological explanation: 117-118

stabilization in --: xxviii ff.

totalitarian: xxviii

solipsism: 53

space:

assumed for theory: 122

autopoiesis not defined by spatial relations: 80

autopoietic: 91-93, 97

autopoietic - vs. descriptive -: 89 ff., 92, 109

Cartesian: 92

defined by coupling in composite unity: 108

defined by relations of production (in autopoiesis): 88 ff., 91-92, 108 ff.

defined by unity: xix, 88, 89, 83 ff., 93-94, 108 ff.

dimensions of: 89-90, 92-93

entity's constitution & definition of its components in-: 77 ff., 79, 80, 88 ff., 93 ff., 108 ff.

ontology of -: 122

physical: (see physical space)

setting for distinction: xix, 73, 94, 96 ff., 109

species:

and evolution: 106 ff., 115 ff., 117

and history: 106 ff., 117

and nervous system diversity: 129

and niche: 21

as unit of biology: 74, 106, 115 ff.

defined: 106, 138

spontaneous origin: (of autopoietic systems) 94-95

stability (2nd-order system): 111

state-determinism: (cf. structural determinism)

in behavior: 52, 124

in nervous system: 25,52, 124 ff.

statical phenomenology: 112 ff., 117

defined: 138

subjective idealism: 66

structural coupling: (cf. coupling)

defined: xx ff.

in social systems: xxvi

structural determination: (cf. state-determinism) 120, 124 ff.

structural realization: 88

structure:

defined: 77, 138

determining domain of interactions: 119, 120

and ontogeny: 98

and simple unities: xx

dependent on physical laws (for physical components): 81, 88 ff., 93 ff.

of composite unity: xx, 88 ff., 92 ff., 109

physical: 81, 89 ff., 93 ff.

surface: ( receptor / effector) (see effector -- / receptor --)

syntax: 33,34

inseparable from semantics: 33

synthesis: 63, 65

system:

living: xiii ff.

open: xiii

subjective aspects of: 66 ff.

teleology: (see also teleonomy)

dispensability of -: 85 ff.

explanatory value of-: 86, 87

in system description: xiii, xviii ff.,50, 66, 77, 85 ff., 87

unneeded to explain learning: 44

teleonomy: (see also teleology)

defined: 138

dispensability of -: 85 ff.

explanatory value of-: 86, 87

in system description: 75, 77

temporal domain: 38

temporality: (cf. time) 124 ff., 131 ff.

theory:

as integrative relations: 47

consistency of: 6

determinant of experimentation: 83

thermodynamics: 89

thinking: 13,25,29 ff.,52

and descriptions: 30

and language: 30

and nervous system recursivity: 29

as mode of behavior: 52

rational -: 52

vs. reflex: 29

third-order autopoietic systems: 107 ff., 110

thoughts: 24

time: (cf. temporality) 18,24,35,38,46, 124

and learning: 35,38, 124

as function of observer: 18,38, 124, 133

as effect of nervous system: 124 ff., 133

as feature of domain of descriptions: 188

effective in linguistic domain: 46

organism always in present: 24,35,46, 124

topological relations: 109

topology: (of system) 79, 88 ff., 90-91, 93 ff., 109

and autocatalytic process: 94

and relations of constitution: 88, 90-91, 93, 109

dependent on organization: 89, 109

totalitarianism: xxviii ff.

trajectory: 97

truth: 57-58

uncertainty:

and 'information': 54

in learning (cf. anxiety): 24,37 ff.

unity: (the attribute)

as sole existence criterion: 96

definitive of living systems: 75, 93-94

determinant of reproduction: 102

specified via distinction: xix,48 ff., 73, 94, 96

topological: 94

unity: (a unit entity)

composite: xix,48 ff., 77, 108 ff., 110

constituted by coupling: 108 ff.

defined: 138

defined by autopoiesis: 88 ff., 94, 109, 110

definitive of living systems: 75, 93-94

definitive of phenomenological domain: 116

irreducibility to 'parts': 49

limit to higher-order -: 111

machine as composite -: 77 ff.

simple: xix

specified via distinction: xix,48 ff., 73, 94, 109

university: (Beer's critique of -) 64 ff.

use of machine(s): see purpose, teleology (-nomy) 77

values: 57-58, 117 ff.

transcendental * justifying social order: 117 ff.

variation: 101 ff., 105

fundamental to evolution: 105

vision: xii; xiv ff.

vitalism: 74

MAIN PAGE

HOME

• Bibliography
  
• Basic Tutorial
  
• Internet Guide
  
• Study Plan
  
• Book Shop
  
• Encyclopaedia Autopoietica