The Tree of Knowledge: The Biological Roots of Human Understanding
Complicity An International Journal of Complexity and Education – July 01, 2007
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
The Tree of Knowledge reveals that human understanding is deeply rooted in biology, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cognition and life. With 269 pages, this revised edition highlights how our perceptions shape reality through a biological lens. Notably, the authors argue that around 90% of our cognitive processes are influenced by our interactions with the environment and each other. This perspective challenges traditional views, suggesting that knowledge is not merely abstract but fundamentally tied to our physical existence and social experiences.
Abstract
A review of The Tree of Knowledge: The Biological Roots of Human Understanding, by Humberto R. Maturana and Francisco J. Varela, 1998 [1987]. Revised Edition. Boston and London: Shambhala Publications, 269 pp. ISBN 0877736421. $29.95 USD.