Cognition Quote by Humberto R. Maturana
““In a sense it has been my way to transcendental experience: to the discovery that matter metaphorically speaking, is the creation of the spirit (the mode of existence of the observer in a domain of discourse), and that the spirit is the creation of the matter it creates. This is not a paradox, but it is the expression of our existence in a domain of cognition in which the content of cognition is cognition itself. Beyond that nothing can be said.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Tree of Knowledge” (1990) by Humberto R. Maturana and Francisco Varela
Matter and spirit are mutually generating in cognition, a non‑paradoxical self‑referential process
In simple terms: Matter creates spirit and spirit creates matter in a self‑referential loop
Key Takeaway
Embrace the reciprocal nature of mind and world
Themes
cognition
philosophy
self‑reference
existence
matter
Mood
academic
thought‑provoking
abstract
Type
Cognition:1
Life:0
Psychology:0
Religion:0
Self-referential:1
Transcendental:0
Transcendental Experience:0
Matter Metaphorically:0
Discourse Spirit:0
Creation Matter:0
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- philosophical debates
- creative workshops
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ontological reciprocity
epistemology
systems theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑reference shape our perception of reality?
- What practical implications arise from this view?
A Different Perspective
Complex ideas may be inaccessible without prior background
![“Stepping out of one’s world or out of one’s habitual self is a transcendental experience. [...] If we seek transcendence, we may have many visions, but we will surely end where we started. If we opt for growth, we may have our moments of transcendence, but they will be peak experiences along the…” quote by Alexander Lowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/457/alexander-lowen-11650_dreams_stepping-out-of-one-s-world-or-out-of-on_2609452.jpg)
![“[Mood allocates] investments of time, effort, resources, and risk taking to maximize Darwinian fitness in situations of varying propitiousness. High and low moods adjust cognition and behavior to cope with propitious and unpropitious situations.” quote by Randolph M. Nesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d0/randolph-m-nesse-24802_behavior_mood-allocates-investments-of-time-effor_87538.jpg)
