Ghost in the Machine
#2050 of 2,654 all-time
Ghost in the Machine
Arthur Koestler
3 people recommended it in 3 threads, 2016–2017.
What people on Hacker News said
Koestler coined the word "holon". A holon is a whole functional and structural unit while at the same time a part of a larger whole, which is itself a part of an even larger whole. Koestler sees life as a hierarchy of holons.
Any attempt to reduce it to parts to understand the whole destroys the character of the whole. This may help explain why reductionist science has had little success in explaining consciousness.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Any recommended books on developing mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books? 2016 · 1 recommendation
- Alan Kay's reading list 2016 · 1 recommendation