What Can Gregory Bateson’s ‘Ecology of Mind’ Teach Us about the Human Genome?

Authors

  • Arthur Saniotis The University of Adelaide, Australia

Abstract

The human genome represents a major scientific achievement which will influence human societies in the 21st century and beyond. In this article I argue that the use of Gregory Bateson’s ‘Ecology of Mind’ is a relevant theoretical concept for unpacking our understanding of the human genome. Bateson’s cybernetic model proffers new ways of constructing the human genome which takes into account human biological and cultural evolution. In Bateson’s Ecology of Mind, genes embody unities which are apparent in biological and social systems. Knowledge of such unities demands a certain kind of human gnosis – ways of knowing which avoid Cartesian constructions of knowledge, but rather encourage critical understanding. 

Downloads