Autopoiesis

From Km Frameworks

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(Definitions)
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==Definitions==
==Definitions==
*The theoretical construct definitive of the manner of operation of that class of systems that includes living systems. This term, combined from the Greek auto- (self) and poiesis (creation/production), was coined by Maturana in (approximately) 1972 (Cf. Maturana's comments in Maturana & Varela, 1980, p. xvii). Often loosely translated as 'self-creation' or 'self-production', the term connotes the process or dynamic by which an autopoietic machine / system maintains its autopoietic organization (via intrinsic processes of production of components realizing this particular organization). More specifically, autopoiesis is attributed to a machine (delineated as a a network of processes) which through that network of processes produces the components that:  
*The theoretical construct definitive of the manner of operation of that class of systems that includes living systems. This term, combined from the Greek auto- (self) and poiesis (creation/production), was coined by Maturana in (approximately) 1972 (Cf. Maturana's comments in Maturana & Varela, 1980, p. xvii). Often loosely translated as 'self-creation' or 'self-production', the term connotes the process or dynamic by which an autopoietic machine / system maintains its autopoietic organization (via intrinsic processes of production of components realizing this particular organization). More specifically, autopoiesis is attributed to a machine (delineated as a a network of processes) which through that network of processes produces the components that:  
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**"(1) through their interactions and transformations continuously regenerate and realize the network of processes (relations) that produced them; and  
**"(1) through their interactions and transformations continuously regenerate and realize the network of processes (relations) that produced them; and  
**(2) constitute it (the machine) as a concrete unity in the space in which they [the components] exist by specifying the topological domain of its realization as such a network."  
**(2) constitute it (the machine) as a concrete unity in the space in which they [the components] exist by specifying the topological domain of its realization as such a network."  
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[Source: [http://www.enolagaia.com/EA.html#A Encyclopaedia Autopoietica]]
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:The difference between autonomy and autopoiesis is that autopoietic systems must produce their own components in addition to conserving their organization . Autonomous machines need only exhibit organizational closure, and they are not required to produce their own components as part of their operation.  
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[Source: [http://www.enolagaia.com/EA.html#A Encyclopaedia Autopoietica]]
==Literature==
==Literature==

Revision as of 14:19, 1 August 2006

Definitions

  • The theoretical construct definitive of the manner of operation of that class of systems that includes living systems. This term, combined from the Greek auto- (self) and poiesis (creation/production), was coined by Maturana in (approximately) 1972 (Cf. Maturana's comments in Maturana & Varela, 1980, p. xvii). Often loosely translated as 'self-creation' or 'self-production', the term connotes the process or dynamic by which an autopoietic machine / system maintains its autopoietic organization (via intrinsic processes of production of components realizing this particular organization). More specifically, autopoiesis is attributed to a machine (delineated as a a network of processes) which through that network of processes produces the components that:
    • "(1) through their interactions and transformations continuously regenerate and realize the network of processes (relations) that produced them; and
    • (2) constitute it (the machine) as a concrete unity in the space in which they [the components] exist by specifying the topological domain of its realization as such a network."

(Varela, 1979, p. 13)

...

The difference between autonomy and autopoiesis is that autopoietic systems must produce their own components in addition to conserving their organization . Autonomous machines need only exhibit organizational closure, and they are not required to produce their own components as part of their operation.


[Source: Encyclopaedia Autopoietica]

Literature

  • Maturana, H.; Varela, F.: Autopoiesis and Cognition: the Realization of the Living. Dordrecht: D. Reidel, 1980 (1st ed. 1973).
  • Varela, F.: Principles of Biological Autonomy. New York: Elsevier, 1979.
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