The Wiener Gold Medal of the American Society for Cybernetics is awarded posthumously to Francisco Varela

The Wiener Gold Medal of the American Society for Cyberneticsis awarded posthumously to Francisco Varela

for his remarkable lifework in cybernetics, biology and the Buddhist-inspired study of embodied
consciousness. Francisco Varela’s early work formed a mathematical counterpoint to
his deep colloborations with Humberto Maturana. This mathematical work
brought the foundations of a calculus for self-reference to cybernetics
and advanced the mathematical work of Wiener, McCulloch and
Pitts of the early cybernetics to a new level. His biological work in
neurophysiology complemented these developments. The potential for further
mathematics for second order cybernetics at the level of Varela’s contribution
stands as a challenge for the future of cybernetics and its practicioners.

Research "motivated" by some of Francisco "ideas": Evan Thompson

Evan Thompson

Professor of Philosophy

University of Toronto

I am a philosopher who works in the areas of cognitive science, phenomenology, and philosophy of mind. 

On this site you will find information about my work.

Intimate Distances - Fragments for a Phenomenology of Organ Transplantation

Some two years ago, prior to writing this article Francisco Varela was battling with the worsening complications of Hepatitis C which had evolved over the years through cirrhosis, and then to liver cancer, and then to the necessity for a liver transplant. He describes the experience of the transplant and its aftermath in these notes written prior to his death on May 28th, 2001. He uses his own experiences very vividly to make some important phenomenological reflections on post transplantation life, personal identity, embodiment and many other important issues. This is an incomplete version of the text published in the Journal of Consciousness Studies, 8, No. 5-7, 2001, pp. 259-71.


Intimate Distances - Fragments for a Phenomenology of Organ Transplantation

Emergence and Embodiment: New Essays on Second-Order Systems Theory

Emergence and Embodiment: New Essays on Second-Order Systems Theory

The Embodiment of Life: The Legacy of Francisco Varela (1946-2001)

1000 - 1700, 1 June 2011

Geary Lecture Theatre - City University, London

To mark the tenth anniversary of Francisco Varela's untimely death, we
will be pleased to welcome you a symposium on 'The embodiment of Life :
The legacy of Francisco Varela (1946-2001) on the 1st June 2011 at City
University.

Varela's work is considered by many academics and professionals to be a
monumental contribution to 20th century biological and philosophical
thought with implications in domains such as neo-cybernetics, immunology,
artificial life, cognitive science, philosophy of mind, brain studies,
and in East-West dialogues between neuroscience and Buddhism (Francisco
was a close, long-time adviser to The Dalai Lama). Invited speakers are:
Stephen Batchelor (Buddhist scholar), Michel Bitbol (Philosopher), Paul
Bourgine (Engineer), John Protevi (Philosopher) and Antonino Raffone
(Neuroscientist).

The dissemination of academic knowledge to non-academic groups was one of
Varela's passions for 30 years. In this spirit, speakers will explain how
Varela's work has influenced their different fields of expertise and the
event should be of interest to many health-related practitioners,
counsellors and psychotherapists, educationists and teachers, social
workers, management consultants, politicians and policy-makers, and to
many amongst the current generation of students.

Details of the program and registration are available at:

http://web.me.com/mobilemyosis/01062011/Welcome.
Valerie Bonnardel

University of Winchester, a private charitable company limited by
guarantee in England and Wales number 5969256.
Registered Office: Sparkford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR