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De Maquinas y Seres Vivos (Spanish Edition)

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The book presents a "new" (1974) concept called Autopoiesis (auto=self; poiesis=creation) that intends to characterize the molecular organization of the living from the perspective of its autonomy. The concept suggests that the living is characterized by a circular organization between the processes that continuously synthesize and destroy the molecules that constitute it. The system produces its own components by continuously re-generating the relationships between them, that is, it operates by an autoreferential dynamic process. That same process also produces its own limit that distinguishes the system from its surroundings. The cell described by the relationships (the organization) existing between its components and not the specific molecular types composing it. Teleology is rejected as an adequate explanation in Biology: life emerged spontaneously when molecular interactions that organized themselves in a circular pattern of production of molecules created their own limit by continuously maintaining their organization.

The autoreferential molecular dynamics are also associated with the emergence of meaning and knowledge as part of the living process. To live and to know have common roots in the circular pattern that interacts with its surroundings. Also, the organization of the cell (at the molecular level) is compared with the electrochemical dynamics the Nervous System (NS). The authors suggest that the NS also operates by a circular process that is similar to that of the cell, an idea that latter was expanded to the claim that the NS does not "re-presents" inside an objective, independent, external world. This thesis contradicts most of the current ideas in cognitive sciences and neurosciences.

Biologists interested in molecular networks, origin of life, nervous system and cognitive sciences should read this short book. Also, philosophers interested in the biological roots of knowledge may find an interesting thesis. It contains the key concept that latter permitted a reformulation of several ideas in evolution, neurosciences, immunology, molecular biology, etc. It is somewhat difficult to read but with patience one may be able to go though the pages: it definitively has an original idea. Curiously, in the USA the ideas of Maturana and Varela are not well known.