TB871: “Anything said is said by an observer”: Humberto Maturana’s impact on Systems Thinking
Note: this is a post reflecting on one of the modules of my MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice. You can see all of the related posts in this category.
Humberto Maturana (1928-2021) was a Chilean biologist, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to systems thinking. His theories on autopoiesis and cognition, deeply rooted in his biological background, have reshaped our understanding of living systems and their interactions. Maturana’s famous assertion that “anything said is said by an observer” encapsulates his focus on the role of the observer in constructing reality, a concept that has profoundly influenced various fields, including cybernetics, organisational theory, and education.
Autopoiesis: the self-creating system
Maturana’s concept of autopoiesis, developed with Francisco Varela, represents a fundamental shift in how living systems are understood. Autopoiesis, meaning “self-creation,” describes the process by which living systems produce and maintain themselves. Maturana and Varela defined an autopoietic system as:
[A] network of processes of production (transformation and destruction) of components that produces the components which: (i) through their interactions and transformations continuously regenerate and realise the network of processes (relations) that produced them; and (ii) constitute it as a concrete unity in the space in which they exist by specifying the topological domain of its realisation as such a network. (Maturana and Varela, 1980, p. 78).
This idea challenged the traditional view that systems could be understood merely by analysing their parts. Instead, Maturana emphasised that living systems are defined by their self-sustaining processes. This perspective has had a significant impact on systems thinking, particularly in how we approach the analysis and design of systems, whether biological, social, or organisational.
In systems thinking, autopoiesis underscores the importance of understanding how a system sustains itself. This insight has influenced fields such as organisational theory, where organisations are now often viewed as autopoietic systems that must continuously create and recreate their structures and processes to survive and adapt.
Cognition as a biological phenomenon
Maturana’s theory of cognition further illustrates his influence on systems thinking. He proposed that “living systems are cognitive systems, and living as a process is a process of cognition” (Maturana and Varela, 1980, p. 13). This theory redefines cognition, not as a mere function of the brain, but as an inherent property of all living systems.
Maturana’s assertion that “anything said is said by an observer” highlights the active role of the observer in the process of cognition. He argued that cognition involves the interaction between an organism and its environment, where the observer brings forth a world by specifying a domain of interactions (Maturana, 1988, p. 37). This concept has profound implications for systems thinking, particularly in understanding how systems interact with their environments and how knowledge is constructed.
In organisational learning, for instance, Maturana’s ideas have shifted the focus from the passive acquisition of information to the active, embodied process of learning as interaction and adaptation. This perspective has also influenced second-order cybernetics, where the role of the observer in constructing reality is a central theme.
Impact on Systems Thinking
Maturana’s biological theories have transformed how systems are conceptualised in various fields. His work has encouraged a shift from viewing systems as static entities to understanding them as dynamic, self-sustaining processes. This has important implications for addressing complex systems, suggesting that solutions must focus on the processes that sustain the system rather than just its outcomes.
In organisational theory, Maturana’s influence is seen in the understanding that organisations, like living organisms, must continuously adapt and evolve. This approach to organisational change emphasises the need to support the processes that enable adaptation, rather than imposing external changes that may not align with the system’s self-sustaining nature.
Maturana’s ideas have also made a significant impact on education, where they have contributed to more holistic approaches to learning. By viewing learners as autopoietic systems, educators are encouraged to focus on nurturing the processes that support self-directed learning and adaptation.
Critiques and responses
While Maturana’s theories have been widely influential, they have not been without criticism. Some scholars argue that the concept of autopoiesis is too narrowly focused on biological systems and may not be fully applicable to social or artificial systems. Others question whether cognition, as defined by Maturana, can be considered a universal characteristic of all living systems.
Maturana addressed these critiques by clarifying that autopoiesis is primarily a descriptive tool for understanding living systems. He emphasised that the concept was developed to highlight the unique characteristics of life, particularly its self-sustaining nature, rather than to serve as a universal framework for all types of systems (Maturana, 2002).
Continuing relevance and legacy
Maturana’s ideas continue to be relevant in systems thinking, especially in the study of complex, adaptive systems. His emphasis on self-organisation and the role of the observer has influenced a wide range of fields, from organisational development to environmental management. As researchers and practitioners continue to explore the nature of complexity and adaptation, Maturana’s work offers valuable insights into the processes that sustain life and organisation.
Maturana’s legacy in systems thinking is enduring, challenging traditional views and opening new avenues for understanding the complexity of living systems. His work remains a vital source of insight and inspiration, particularly in addressing the challenges of adapting and sustaining systems in an ever-changing world.
References
- Maturana, H.R. and Varela, F.J., 1980. Autopoiesis and Cognition: The Realization of the Living. D. Reidel Publishing Company.
- Maturana, H.R., 1988. ‘Reality: The Search for Objectivity or the Quest for a Compelling Argument’, Irish Journal of Psychology, 9(1), pp. 25-82.
- Maturana, H.R., 2002. ‘Autopoiesis, Structural Coupling and Cognition: What Makes Us Human?’, Cybernetics & Human Knowing, 9(3-4), pp. 5-17.
- Ramage, M. and Shipp, K., 2020. Systems Thinkers. 2nd ed. The Open University/Springer.
Image created by DALL-E 3
