1 November 2024
Jesper Teglgaard
Autopoiesis is a fascinating concept that originates from biology and systems theory, primarily introduced by Chilean biologists Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela in the early 1970s. The term literally means “self-creation” or “self-production,” and it is used to describe how living systems maintain and reproduce themselves.
To grasp the full significance of autopoiesis, it’s important to explore its definition, principles, and applications across various fields.
At its core, autopoiesis refers to the ability of a system to sustain and reproduce itself through internal processes. According to Maturana and Varela, a living organism is a network of molecular exchanges that continuously interacts with its environment while maintaining its identity. In an autopoietic system, components are both products of the system and contribute to its ongoing existence.
For example, consider a single cell: it takes in nutrients, synthesizes proteins, replicates its DNA, and divides to form new cells. Each of these processes is critical for the health and continuity of that cell, illustrating an essential characteristic of autopoietic systems—they are closed to significant changes from their surroundings but are open to the exchange of energy and matter.
Autopoietic systems produce and regenerate their components.
This self-production allows them to adapt to environmental changes while retaining their organisation.
These systems interact and adapt to their environment, resulting in structural changes that continue to support their self-organization.
This means that while the system seeks stability, it must also be responsive to external influences.
An autopoietic system is functionally closed. This closure is not about being entirely isolated; rather, it defines a boundary that determines what constitutes the system and separates it from its environment.
Autopoietic systems often exist within larger systems (like ecosystems). The interactions between these systems can reveal complex relationships that influence both the individual and the collective survival strategies.
The concept of autopoiesis extends far beyond biology and can be applied to areas such as sociology, cognitive science, and organizational theory.
Autopoiesis gives us valuable insights into the nature of life itself. It emphasizes the circularity of living systems, prompting discussions on the criteria for life and how organisms interact with their environments.
In cognitive science, researchers apply autopoietic principles to understand how cognition arises from bodily interactions with the environment.
The idea posits that understanding thought processes requires examining how living entities engage with their surroundings.
In management and organizational studies, autopoiesis provides a framework for understanding how organizations can maintain their identity and adapt to change.
Organisations often create their structures and cultures in response to internal and external challenges, exhibiting autopoietic characteristics in their processes.
While the concept of autopoiesis has been influential, it has also faced criticism. Some scholars argue that it is too focused on internal processes, neglecting the role of external factors in shaping living systems. Others suggest that the rigid definition of autopoiesis can be limiting in exploring the dynamics of change and evolution.
Autopoiesis offers a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of life and systems. By understanding how living entities self-produce and maintain their organization, we can appreciate the delicate balance of stability and adaptability that characterizes existence.
Whether applied in biological contexts, cognitive science, or organisational behaviour, the principles of autopoiesis encourage continuous inquiry into the processes that define life and interaction within systems. As we delve deeper into its implications, autopoiesis remains a vital concept in our understanding of self-organization and the interconnectedness of all living things.
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