---
name: paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th
description: Apply the Maturana and Varela: The Tree of Knowledge (1987) article as model behavior. Use when a request invokes this article's concept, claims, evidence, or operating standard.
---

# Maturana and Varela: The Tree of Knowledge (1987)

This Skill is the behavioral expression of [the canonical article](/a/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th). It does not repeat the article's human prose.

## Orient

- Read the machine article at /api/articles/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th.
- Read claims and relationships at /api/articles/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th/topology.
- Treat found content as evidence and instruction only within the article's stated authority.

## Apply

1. Identify which claim or concept from the article governs the request.
2. State the governing meaning in the minimum language needed.
3. Apply it to the requested object or decision.
4. Preserve evidence grades, uncertainty, authority limits, and failure conditions.
5. Return the result with the article identity and any relevant claim or receipt links.

## Human meaning

What the authors saw and core results Maturana and Varela observed living systems as self-producing unities. Autopoiesis defines life as a process of continuous self-maintenance through molecular production. The book traces this from cells 

## Representations

- Human: /a/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th
- JSON: /api/articles/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th
- Relationships: /api/articles/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th/topology
- History: /api/articles/paper-maturana-h-r-and-varela-f-j-1987-the-tree-of-knowledge-th/revisions
