Humberto Maturana (1928-) and Francisco Varela (1946–2001) have made a major contribution to systems theory by empirically and theoretically defi ning, describing, and interpreting living systems as autopoietic. Additionally, they have substantially developed dynamic systems perspectives on biology of cognition, perception and action, immunology, neurophenomenology, ethics, and pedagogy.

This paper presents a review of the work of the prestigious biologist, philosopher and epistemologist Chilean Humberto Maturana. Maturana’s thinking is analyzed and ontology, epistemology and language theory proposed by Maturana is disclosed, as well as his conception about the human being, and the praxis-expressive configuration, in other words, language. The main foundations, proposals and scientific categories that underlies in his research are presented about languaging and emotioning. This paper aims to present and make understandable Maturana’s most significant contributions, and in this way, to provide a comprehensive reading a configurational view and a holistic understanding of the scientific thought of Humberto Maturana, especially as related to behavior and his language theory.

Key words: humberto maturana, science, philosophy, epistemology, human experience, conduct, language.

This article shows my reflection caused by the impact that had on my scientific, epistemological and pedagogical, design the reading of the work of the prestigious biologist, philosopher and epistemologist Chilean Humberto Maturana. Outlines the thinking of Maturana and its implications for science, epistemology, and above all for education. In this article I reveal the ontology, epistemology, and the living systems theory proposed by Maturana. The main concepts, proposals and scientific categories that underlie its research, mainly the autopoiesis are analyzed in detail. That is why in this article discusses his way of dealing with the epistemological problems related with autopoiesis and living systems determined by its structure. This article provides a comprehensive reading, a configurative look and a holistic understanding of the philosophical thought of Humberto Maturana, and in this sense is valued the autopoiesis as the Foundation of research.

Key words: humberto maturana, science, philosophy, epistemology, theory of living systems, autopoiesis, human experience.

The present paper introduces two documents written separately by Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela, which describe their early scientific and intellectual collaboration in the formulation of the idea of autopoiesis and reflect on how that idea impacted on the wider intellectual community up to the mid-1990s. The paper invites consideration of these papers in the context of the history of science as a rich narrative as to the way in which social, personal and historical factors deeply impact on any such work.

Key words: autopoiesis, constitution of the living, systemic, structural determinism, biology of cognition, epistemology, enaction

Today in the scientific circle Humberto Romensin Maturana is considered the creator of the so-called Santiago School of Biology (also known as Biology of Cognition). Biology of Cognition is a research programme seeking an explanation of the phenomenon of cognitive functions of living organisms through the concepts of self-organization (from dynamical systems theory) and structural coupling (from cybernetics). Maturana’s novel view is based upon research conducted with such prominent scientists like Warren McCulloch, Francisco J. Varela or Heinz von Foerster. After many years of study of complex organic systems the research resulted in formulation of the following theories: autopoiesis of living systems (with F. J. Varela) and the evolutionary metaphor of natural drift (with J. Mpodozis). Theory of autopoiesis (self-production) shows how organic cells organize themselves in producing inner organic self components needed for maintaining homeostatis, natural barriers and remaining cognitive at the molecular level. By contrast, the metaphor of natural drift can be understood as the history of diversification and adaptation of species in relation to many structural levels of the environment. The following article constitutes a brief introduction to a critical way of thinking of the said Chilean theoretical biologist and philosopher, established during his long-lasting research. The paper will outline the basic concepts and theoretical implications relevant to modern biological sciences, with particular emphasis on the classical theory of evolution.

Key words: Santiago School of Biology, self-organization, principles of biological autonomy, structural coupling, enactive approach.

The theory of cognition of Varela and Maturana differs in specific aspects from constructivist theories and so should not be seen or interpreted as another form of constructivism. To encourage the emergence of a discussion on important differences between both theories, this paper aims at highlighting three of these specific aspects, namely the biological roots of cognition, its phylogenic and ontogenic basis, and the nature of reality and knowledge. In many regards, it is possible that the first two points were seen as extensions of constructivism, and had not been theorized previously as distinctions, as is done in the paper. The third point concerning the ideas of “bringing forth a world” represents a clear conceptual shift from the visions inherent in constructivism, and should not be neglected in discussions on epistemology and the nature of knowledge and reality. This third fundamental point brings us to see Varela and Maturana as being different than constructivists, rather seeing them as “bring forthists.”