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To propose a conceptual paradigm for unifying concepts of material, living and spiritual nature, based on the natural philosophy of Gregory Bateson and the more formal relational theories of Robert Rosen.

The paper combines Bateson's natural philosophy with the relational meta‐theory of Robert Rosen to develop the world view we believe Bateson argued for. It shows that the assumptions of this view correspond with Vedic philosophy. An integral view of nature that can underlie mechanistic and relational science is provided.

Bateson's natural philosophy can be interpreted in terms of Rosen's relational concepts to provide a unifying view of nature based on information entailments. This is described in terms of an irreducible complementarity between abstract and material aspects of nature (corresponding to Bateson's “mind and nature”) that forms a causally effective, or “necessary” unity. Encoding and decoding relations correspond with Bateson's ideas of patterns and information. The general application of this view suggests a reality not unlike the “immortal luminous being” described in the Vedas and Upanishads of India.

The paper shows why the dualistic/mechanistic view of nature is inadequate for understanding living systems and natural complexity. It describes a more general foundation from which living and generative aspects of nature can be studied. This corresponds with the Vedic concept of intrinsic value (divinity) in nature, and lends support to deep ecology ethics. As Bateson argued, the relational view can be an ethical instrument, leading away from conflict as to understand better the roots of interconnectedness.

This piece seeks to reflect upon the nature of adaptation and our usage of it with relation to design, addiction, and final cause.

This previously unpublished document was found amongst the manuscript papers for Mind and Nature in the Bateson Archives at the University of Santa Cruz Library Special Collections.

It appears that “adaptation” was a concept generated by lineal thinking and that as we move forward into a world of causal circuits, i.e. of mental process as that notion is here defined, we discover that “adaptation” is only another face of addiction.

It reflects on the issue of adaptation from a very different angle than in the usual scientific discourse.

To provide a glimpse into Gregory Bateson's thought processes about addiction and learning.

This piece is a combination of a transcribed and edited lecture called Civilizations and addiction II, and a previously unpublished piece from the Angel's Fear manuscripts, “Definition of Addiction.”

Addiction is examined as a relationship between two or more entities.

This paper may provide a different and more integrated understanding of addiction. It may also lead to further research, into re‐thinking the nature addiction, and subsequent courses of action to get through addictive situations.

This paper forms a valuable insight into numerous current cultural, social and individual issues dealing with addiction, and achieving higher levels of learning.

The purpose of this paper is to show how to enact a Batesonian system to teaching an ecology of mind course.

The approach develops a practical framework for teaching with examples of teaching approaches and student work.

The overarching approach involves a depth-abstraction-abduction model. This model was used to engage students in examining a variety of transdisciplinary phenomena with emphasis on contexts, meaning, multiple perspectives, stories, relationships and systems, patterns, and epistemology. Epistemological shocks and shifts were a common occurrence.

This work is unique in that it focuses on a course based upon the film: “An ecology of mind: a daughter's portrait of Gregory Bateson”.

When the editors of this publication asked me to do a little editing for them, they also asked me to write a short piece for you about how my father's work has affected my work as a filmmaker.

A short and informal note form Nora Bateson.

In the end it turns out, from my perspective at least, that the most important thing he said was nothing he said, (though a lot of it is inherently fascinating and hugely useful). What is truly important is how he approached EVERYTHING.

A personal look into how Gregory Bateson's ideas and his lifestyle worked together.

A personal introduction to the Gregory Bateson memorial issue.

Outlines Bateson's work and the content of the memorial.

Connects Bateson's legacy with the work of current authors and the general problems the world faces today.

Describes the necessity to use ecological principles as presented by Bateson.