LUIZ FERNANDO DE OLIVEIRA PROENÇA

The main objective of this research is to understand the concept of organism developed by the Estonian philosopher and biologist Jakob von Uexküll (1864-1944). According to this author, organisms are organic totalities technically oriented, that is, in accordance with what he calls technical laws. Ontogenetic and morphological developments, as well as ecological relationships, are, in this way, subordinated to those laws and processes of meaning that express the existence of conformity to a plan (Planmäßigkeit) relative to each organic being. In order to elucidate this thesis, three areas of research can be determined. First, we intend to clarify the theoretical bases on which von Uexküll relies throughout his work; second, to show how research into the physiology and anatomy of organisms proves the thesis presented above and, third, how ecological relations also corroborate the thesis of the significance and technical quality of living beings.