Ecology of Mind
The term Ecology of Mind has been coined by Gregory Bateson. In the Society of Mind approach, we try to understand the mind as a society, as a social group of interacting agents. In the ecology of mind approach, we try to understand the mind as an ecology, as a network of interactions.
Bateson's idea of an "Ecology of Mind" and Minsky's idea of a "Society of Mind" have something in common. Both are similar because they try to describe a whole system of interacting entities - species for ecology and agents for society. Both are very interesting, because they maybe help to connect psychology with neuroscience. A useful theory of this kind has much in common with ecology or sociology: it must describe complex adaptive systems which consist of many elements - systems that are able to adjust and adapt themselves.
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Ecology is the study of the ecosystem and the environment as
it relates to living organisms. It tries to describe how
living systems are connected. A large variety of species and
a huge network of interactions - a food web - is characteristic
for Ecology. Gregory Bateson thinks the nature of the mind
can be understood as a network of connections and interactions
relating the individual with his society and his species
and with the universe at large.
Books
- Gregory Bateson, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, University Of Chicago Press, 1972
