About Bateson

One of the 20th century’s most integrative and transdisciplinary thinkers and writers, Gregory Bateson (1904‐1980) made important contributions to anthropology, biology, cognitive science, psychiatry, and cybernetics. He was a pioneer in the development of a systems approach that understands objects by their interdependencies within dynamic systems of relationships that should be grasped holistically. In his most famous book, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, and other writings, Bateson applied this approach to living organisms, ecologies, cultures, families, arts, games, and communications. Bateson originated influential systems concepts including “the double bind,” “schismogenesis”, and “the pattern that connects.” His work inspired the creation of family therapy. He is often credited with helping to inspire the modern ecology movement by his ideas about the interconnectedness of human thinking with the natural environment.

Resources about Bateson:

• Nora Bateson’s film, An Ecology of Mind
• Gregory Bateson biography
• Gregory Bateson bibliography

Books by Bateson:

• Steps to an Ecology of Mind
• Mind and Nature: A Necessary Unity
• Angels Fear: Toward an Epistemology of the Sacred

Books about Bateson:

• Peter Harries-Jones: A Recursive Vision: Ecological Understanding and Gregory Bateson
• Mary Catherine Bateson: With a Daughter's Eye: A Memoir of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson

Writings you can download prior to the events:

• Gregory Bateson: Chapter 1 of Mind and Nature (1979)
• Stephen Nachmanovitch: Gregory Bateson: Old Men Ought to be Explorers (1981)

Bateson to be inducted into the California Hall of Fame, March 20, 2013

For information, contact info@batesonsymposium.com

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Sponsored by a grant from the Buckner W. Clay Endowment for the Humanities