Francisco Varela

Francisco Varela (Santiago, September 7, 1946 – May 28, 2001 in Paris) was a Chilean biologist and philosopher, who, together with Humberto Maturana, is most well-known for introducing the concept of autopoiesis to biology. He is also a proponent of the embodied philosophy which claims that human consciousness can only be understood in terms of the physical structures in which it arises, namely the body, and the environment in which the body interacts.

Related Topics:
Santiago - September 7 - 1946 - May 28 - 2001 - Paris - Chile - Biologist - Philosopher - Humberto Maturana - Autopoiesis - Embodied philosophy - Consciousness

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He was a founding member of the Integral Institute, a thinktank dedicated to the cross-fertilization of ideas and disciplines.

Related Topics:
Integral Institute - Thinktank

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Varela was the father of Chilean actress Leonor Varela, among others.

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His death was caused by Hepatitis C. For his own account of his liver transplant, see "Intimate Distances - Fragments for a Phenomenology of Organ Transplantation"

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