The third culture
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Workshop on Artificial Autonomy for ECAL2011 - Paris, 8th August
This year’s European Conference on Artificial Life (ECAL) in Paris celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first ECAL and is dedicated toFrancisco Varela’s work on biological autonomy. We are taking advantage of this opportunity to set up an ECAL satellite event, aWorkshop on Artificial Autonomy (WAAT) to highlight the state of the art in the practice of autonomous systems.
IMPORTANT DATES
May 2 (Monday): Submission of abstracts deadline
June 15 (Wednesday): Announcement of editors decision
August 8 (Monday): Workshop starts
WORKSHOP THEMES
The themes of the workshop can be grouped into broadly overlapping categories: theory, history, modelling, measurement and implementation of autonomous systems. A goal of the workshop is to address these issues with empirical and computational modelling approaches wherever possible. In this vein, integrative models are particularly encouraged. Possible themes include but are not limited to the following topics:
a) To asses the progress made after 20 years of modelling, measuring, conceptualizing and synthesizing autonomous systems
b) To further clarify conceptually and pragmatically the notion of autonomy (and related concepts such as autopoiesis, closure to efficient causation, enaction, emergence, agency, etc.).
c) To review and advance current methods of formalizing and measuring autonomy (e.g. with information theory, category theory, dynamical systems theory, etc.)
d) To evaluate the current state of the art on the modelling of specific types of autonomy: protocellular or autopoietic autonomy, cognitive or behavioural autonomy, multicellular autonomy, social autonomy, etc.
e) To address the issue of modeling different levels of autonomy (metabolic, behavioural, social) and their relationship (inclusive, mutually-dependent, hierarchical, etc.)
For more information see:
http://www.risc.cnrs.fr/detail_lesechos.php?ID=15163
http://autonomyworkshop.wordpress.com/
IMPORTANT DATES
May 2 (Monday): Submission of abstracts deadline
June 15 (Wednesday): Announcement of editors decision
August 8 (Monday): Workshop starts
WORKSHOP THEMES
The themes of the workshop can be grouped into broadly overlapping categories: theory, history, modelling, measurement and implementation of autonomous systems. A goal of the workshop is to address these issues with empirical and computational modelling approaches wherever possible. In this vein, integrative models are particularly encouraged. Possible themes include but are not limited to the following topics:
a) To asses the progress made after 20 years of modelling, measuring, conceptualizing and synthesizing autonomous systems
b) To further clarify conceptually and pragmatically the notion of autonomy (and related concepts such as autopoiesis, closure to efficient causation, enaction, emergence, agency, etc.).
c) To review and advance current methods of formalizing and measuring autonomy (e.g. with information theory, category theory, dynamical systems theory, etc.)
d) To evaluate the current state of the art on the modelling of specific types of autonomy: protocellular or autopoietic autonomy, cognitive or behavioural autonomy, multicellular autonomy, social autonomy, etc.
e) To address the issue of modeling different levels of autonomy (metabolic, behavioural, social) and their relationship (inclusive, mutually-dependent, hierarchical, etc.)
For more information see:
http://www.risc.cnrs.fr/detail_lesechos.php?ID=15163
http://autonomyworkshop.wordpress.com/
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lanzamiento libro “El fenómeno de la Vida” de Francisco Varela
29 de marzo 2011- Lanzamiento libro “El fenómeno de la Vida” de Francisco Varela
Invita: Alfonso Gómez, Decano de la Escuela de Negocios y Juan Carlos Sáez, Director de JC Sáez Editor.
Presentará la obra Diego Cosmelli, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Martes 29 de marzo
12:00 horas
Sala Entel
Sede Presidente Errázuriz
Invita: Alfonso Gómez, Decano de la Escuela de Negocios y Juan Carlos Sáez, Director de JC Sáez Editor.
Presentará la obra Diego Cosmelli, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Martes 29 de marzo
12:00 horas
Sala Entel
Sede Presidente Errázuriz
Enaction: Toward a New Paradigm for Cognitive Science (2011)
Enaction
Toward a New Paradigm for Cognitive Science
Edited by John Stewart, Olivier Gapenne and Ezequiel A. Di Paolo
This book presents the framework for a new, comprehensive approach to cognitive science. The proposed paradigm, enaction, offers an alternative to cognitive science's classical, first-generation Computational Theory of Mind (CTM). Enaction, first articulated by Varela, Thompson, and Rosch in The Embodied Mind (MIT Press, 1991), breaks from CTM's formalisms of information processing and symbolic representations to view cognition as grounded in the sensorimotor dynamics of the interactions between a living organism and its environment. A living organism enacts the world it lives in; its embodied action in the world constitutes its perception and thereby grounds its cognition. Enaction offers a range of perspectives on this exciting new approach to embodied cognitive science.
Some chapters offer manifestos for the enaction paradigm; others address specific areas of research, including artificial intelligence, developmental psychology, neuroscience, language, phenomenology, and culture and cognition. Three themes emerge as testimony to the originality and specificity of enaction as a paradigm: the relation between first-person lived experience and third-person natural science; the ambition to provide an encompassing framework applicable at levels from the cell to society; and the difficulties of reflexivity. Taken together, the chapters offer nothing less than the framework for a far-reaching renewal of cognitive science.
Link
Toward a New Paradigm for Cognitive Science
Edited by John Stewart, Olivier Gapenne and Ezequiel A. Di Paolo
This book presents the framework for a new, comprehensive approach to cognitive science. The proposed paradigm, enaction, offers an alternative to cognitive science's classical, first-generation Computational Theory of Mind (CTM). Enaction, first articulated by Varela, Thompson, and Rosch in The Embodied Mind (MIT Press, 1991), breaks from CTM's formalisms of information processing and symbolic representations to view cognition as grounded in the sensorimotor dynamics of the interactions between a living organism and its environment. A living organism enacts the world it lives in; its embodied action in the world constitutes its perception and thereby grounds its cognition. Enaction offers a range of perspectives on this exciting new approach to embodied cognitive science.
Some chapters offer manifestos for the enaction paradigm; others address specific areas of research, including artificial intelligence, developmental psychology, neuroscience, language, phenomenology, and culture and cognition. Three themes emerge as testimony to the originality and specificity of enaction as a paradigm: the relation between first-person lived experience and third-person natural science; the ambition to provide an encompassing framework applicable at levels from the cell to society; and the difficulties of reflexivity. Taken together, the chapters offer nothing less than the framework for a far-reaching renewal of cognitive science.
Link
International Conference on Science, Spirituality and Education by Annie Dibble
For many years His Holiness has dialogued with western scientists, psychologists and meditators, under the name ‘Mind and Life’, examining the parallels between ancient Buddhist understandings of mind and the more recent scientific findings made since scanners and electrodes for monitoring and measuring brain function became available to researchers. The first conference took place in 1987, a relatively small event in Dharamsala and findings were published in an edition called ‘Gentle Bridges: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on the Sciences of Mind’ [1].
One of the most notable pioneering contributors to those conversations was Francisco Varela, brilliant biologist, neurophysicist and philosopher from Chile who, with encouragement from the Dalai lama, along with self confessed ‘meditation junkie’ B Alan Wallace, and Professor Richard Davidson steered the dialogues towards research into the affects of long term meditation, revealing scientific evidence of a natural human predisposition to ‘brain plasticity’, hence the possibility that meditation techniques can literally ‘change the mind’. These dialogues have come to be known as the ‘Mind and Life Dialogues’.
Link
One of the most notable pioneering contributors to those conversations was Francisco Varela, brilliant biologist, neurophysicist and philosopher from Chile who, with encouragement from the Dalai lama, along with self confessed ‘meditation junkie’ B Alan Wallace, and Professor Richard Davidson steered the dialogues towards research into the affects of long term meditation, revealing scientific evidence of a natural human predisposition to ‘brain plasticity’, hence the possibility that meditation techniques can literally ‘change the mind’. These dialogues have come to be known as the ‘Mind and Life Dialogues’.
Link
Neuroscience and Meditation
Matthieu Ricard has been a key contributor to the increasingly fruitful dialogue between scientists and spiritual practitioners, and a regular subject for scientific experiments on meditation. Here he explains some of the findings, and the implications for the future.
In 2000, a remarkable meeting took place in Dharamsala, India. Some of the leading specialists on human emotions—psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers—spent an entire week in discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the privacy of his home in the foothills of the Himalayas.
It was the first time that I had been able to participate in the fascinating meetings held by the Mind and Life Institute, which was founded in 1987 by Francisco Varela, a renowned neuroscientist, and Adam Engle, an American businessman. The dialogues focused on destructive emotions and how to handle them
Link
In 2000, a remarkable meeting took place in Dharamsala, India. Some of the leading specialists on human emotions—psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers—spent an entire week in discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the privacy of his home in the foothills of the Himalayas.
It was the first time that I had been able to participate in the fascinating meetings held by the Mind and Life Institute, which was founded in 1987 by Francisco Varela, a renowned neuroscientist, and Adam Engle, an American businessman. The dialogues focused on destructive emotions and how to handle them
Link
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Autopoiesis, Systems Thinking and Systemic Practice: The Contribution of Francisco Varela
“Autopoiesis, Systems Thinking and Systemic Practice: The Contribution of Francisco Varela”
This issue, due for publication in July 2011, will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the death of Francisco Varela, and will explore how Varela's work, particularly the notion of autopoiesis, has impacted on the field of Systems Research and Behavioral Science.
Systems Research and Behavioral Science
This issue, due for publication in July 2011, will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the death of Francisco Varela, and will explore how Varela's work, particularly the notion of autopoiesis, has impacted on the field of Systems Research and Behavioral Science.
Systems Research and Behavioral Science
Unbinding Biological Autonomy: Francisco Varela's Contributions to Artificial Life
Unbinding Biological Autonomy: Francisco Varela's Contributions to Artificial Life
Ezequiel A. Di Paolo
Artificial Life, Summer 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3, Pages 231-233
Link
Ezequiel A. Di Paolo
Artificial Life, Summer 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3, Pages 231-233
Link
The Embodiment of Life: The Legacy of Francisco Varela (1946-2001)
Francisco Varela was one of the most innovative and influential cognitive scientists of the last 50 years. His unique ability to blend deep knowledge of neuroscience, European philosophy and Tibetan Buddhism has had a profound affect on our understanding of the immune system, embodied cognition, and the relationship between brain and consciousness. To mark the 10th anniversary of his untimely death, this symposium brings together some of those who knew Francisco and explores the way his work continues to guide investigations of human nature of many different kinds.
Among those taking part will be Stephen Batchelor (Buddhist teacher), Michel Bitbol (Philosopher), Paul Bourgine (Engineer), John Protevi (Philosopher) and Antonino Raffone (Neuroscientist).
Link
Among those taking part will be Stephen Batchelor (Buddhist teacher), Michel Bitbol (Philosopher), Paul Bourgine (Engineer), John Protevi (Philosopher) and Antonino Raffone (Neuroscientist).
Link
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Montegrande: What is life
How is it possible for body and mind to exist as an integrated whole? the Chilean neurobiologist Francisco Varela devoted his entire life - from childhood to death – to answering this question. The structure of the film is based on Varela's non-linear thinking and focuses on autopoiesis, ethics, consciousness, meditation and dying. The film also includes narrative accounts and reflections from Varela himself, his relatives, leading scientists, friends and thinkers, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Heinz von Foerster (the father of cybernetics), jean-pierre dupuy, Evan Thompson, Anne Harrington, humberto maturana etc. Three key concepts shape the film: the relationship between body and mind (embodiment), the meaning of self responsibility (autonomy) and spirituality
Link
Link
Special Issue Biological Research: A Tribute to Francisco Varela (1946-2001)
The present volume of Biological Research is dedicated to the memory of Francisco Varela, renown Chilean scholar recently deceased in Paris (1). The issue contains a collection of papers by people who shared moments of thought and research with Francisco at different times and places during his short but remarkably productive life. The variety of issues addressed by the articles contained here aims to be no more than an unpretentious modest reflection of the wide spectrum of Francisco´s intellectual interests, from Mathematics to Neuroscience, from Epistemology to Psychology. In all of the fields that Francisco explored with his well prepared and open mind he contributed with deep novel insights, that crystallized in numerous articles, comments, books and interviews. We hope that this volume, which we have entitled "A Tribute to Francisco Varela (1946-2001)" will be informative and inspiring for colleagues and students all over the world.
Link to the Journal (free vol)
Link to the Journal (free vol)
Friday, March 18, 2011
The brainweb concept: Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2001-2010
One of most influential (recent) contribution of Francisco Varela et al. was publish in 2001 in the prestigious Journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience:
The brainweb: phase synchronization and large-scale integration
Varela, JP Lachaux, E Rodriguez… - Nature reviews …, 2001 - nature.com
(# Citation 1370)
Link
In October 2010 the same Journal: Nature Reviews Neuroscience:
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 11, 718-726 (October 2010)
Ten years of Nature Reviews Neuroscience: insights from the highly cited
highlight the brainweb contribution as the most influential article of the year:
"The outstanding research that has flourished following the publication of the 'brainweb' Review 10 years ago is a beautiful tribute to a unique and visionary scientist. The inspiration of Francisco Varela (1946–2001) will live on through the highly promising findings that will no doubt continue to emerge in this field for many years to come"
The brainweb: phase synchronization and large-scale integration
Varela, JP Lachaux, E Rodriguez… - Nature reviews …, 2001 - nature.com
(# Citation 1370)
Link
In October 2010 the same Journal: Nature Reviews Neuroscience:
Nature Reviews Neuroscience 11, 718-726 (October 2010)
Ten years of Nature Reviews Neuroscience: insights from the highly cited
highlight the brainweb contribution as the most influential article of the year:
"The outstanding research that has flourished following the publication of the 'brainweb' Review 10 years ago is a beautiful tribute to a unique and visionary scientist. The inspiration of Francisco Varela (1946–2001) will live on through the highly promising findings that will no doubt continue to emerge in this field for many years to come"
Thursday, March 17, 2011
New Frontiers in Contemplative Science
The 2011 MLSRI will be devoted to the theme of ”New Frontiers in the Contemplative Sciences.” Drawing on research in neuroscience, basic psychological science, clinical psychology, and philosophy and contemplative studies, this year’s SRI will focus on outstanding challenges for the development of contemplative neuroscience, contemplative clinical science, and contemplative studies in light of the progress made in these fields since the MLSRI’s inception. 2011 also marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Francisco Varela, the Mind and Life Institute’s founding scientist. We therefore will also give special attention to considerations about the future of contemplative science in light of his vision for collaboration between contemplative traditions and mind-brain science.
link
link
Refocusing on biology and complex systems: ECAL 2011
Welcome to ECAL 2011! Back then, in the early 1990's, the first two ECAL conferences in Paris and Brussels were mainly centered on theoretical biology and the physics of complex systems. Today, we feel that Alife can look back on these origins and take more inspiration from new developments at the intersection between computer science and theoretical biology—thus it is our wish to refocus the conference on complex biological systems. Closing a loop, this ECAL will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1st ECAL and will be framed as a tribute to the late Francisco Varela, co-organizer in 1991 with two of this year's committee members (Paul Bourgine, CREA, and Hugues Bersini, IRIDIA). We look forward to seeing you in Paris.
link
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Francisco Varela Legacy: 2001-2011
2011 marca 10 años de la partida de nuestro Maestro, Amigo, Colega Francisco Varela y nos justaría dar a conocer a través de este blog una serie de actividades y reflexiones a realizarse a través del mundo en torno a la memoria de Francisco.
2011 remember the 10 years of the departure of our Maitre, Friend and Colleague Francisco Varela and we wish to help trough this blog the divulgation of a series of activities and thinking carried world wide around Francisco legacy.
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