Fritjof+Capra,+The+Systems+View+of+Life

Fritjof capra youtube video notes

What is sustained in sustainable communities is the webof life on which ourt longterm survival depends. A s-cominuty is deisgned so that tech and institutions support natures inherent ability to sustain life.

Eco-literacy

Survival of humanity demands on eco-literacy. Ability to understand basic principlas of ecology and to live accordingly. As dfasr as science is concerned., mst appropriate theory for ecology is ‘living systems.’

Theory now emerging, has root in fields of beg. Of 20th century. Oragnistic biolgy, Gesthalt pssych, etc.

Every organism in nature is an integrate whole – therefore a living system.

Communities of organisms – eco-systems or social systerms. Throughout living world, systems nesting w/in systerms. We are part of a social system. Each of us is an integrated system, which contains systems (nervous system, digestive systerm, etc). each cell is a living system. System nested w/in systems.

Diff. between living and dead organism is process of life. Philosophers call ‘the breath of life.’ Metabolism – the ceaseless flow of energy thru a network of chemical reactions, that enables living organism to continually maintain itself, regenrate and perpetuaye itself. Metabolism key concept of biological life.

Two aspects - (1) continues flow of energy and matter. All systems need energy and food to susitan themselves, and produce waste. L - communities of organisms – waste of 1 system is food for the next.

(2) Network of chemical reactions forms basis of all functions and behaviors of the organism. Emphasis on network. Networks basic organization of life.

Systemic conception of life – extended to social domain. Insluced material world.

3 dimensions: material, social, cognitive.

Matter included in social sciences. Unusual. Social scientists not usally interested in world of matter. Natural science – material structures. Social science – social sturcturs understood as rules of behavior.

In future, this divison no longer possible. Key challenge of new century of all scientists will be to build ecologically sustainable commuities. Designed so material and social structures do interfere w/ Organization of social structures must not prevent web of life