Francisco Varela

Our 'knowledge' must begin with experience.

Summary

Francisco Varela (1946 - 2001) was a Chilean biologist and philosopher, who, together with Humberto Maturana, is most well-known for introducing the concept of Autopoiesis to biology and extending the Santiago Theory of Cognition.

He examined the Self-Organisation of Living Systems (see Vital Unconscious and Biocentric Principle and Biological Basis of Biodanza).

Ideas

• Autopoiesis - Defines living systems as 'self producing' mechanisms which maintain their particular form despite material inflow and outflow, through self-regulation and self-reference. Can be a cell or a whole organism. Combines the concepts of Homeostasis and Systems Thinking.
• Santiago Theory of Cognition - Living systems are cognitive systems, and living as a process is a process of cognition. This statement is valid for all organisms, with or without a nervous system.
• Neurophenomenology was introduced by Varela into Neuroscience - Based on the phenomenological writings of Husserl and of Maurice Merleau-Ponty and on first person science, observers examine their conscious experience using scientifically verifiable methods.