Autopoiesis: A notion of life

Abstract

H.R. Maturana and F.J. Varela are two Chilean biologists who were not satisfied with the traditional definition of life that is based upon enumerating its properties, viz. metabolism, reproduction and evolution. They tried to define what makes a minimal life. In this attempt, they proposed the theory of autopoiesis. This theory focuses on the dynamics and systemic nature of living systems and tries to establish that living systems are autonomous systems as they are able to self-create their own components. It also describes how a living system and its environment are inter-related.