Autopoeisis and meaning: a biological approach to Bakhtin's superaddressee

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the connections between autopoiesis, as described by Maturana and Varela, and Bakhtin's work on dialogue in understanding successful organizational rhetoric.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews two foundational texts in order to see the connection between them.

Findings

The concept of “organizational closure” will govern the domain of communication and therefore also any act in rhetoric.

Originality/value

This is a first attempt to link “organizational closure” as it exists in autopoiesis to Bakhtin's notion of a superaddressee.

Citation

Goosseff, K.A. (2010), "Autopoeisis and meaning: a biological approach to Bakhtin's superaddressee", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 145-151. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534811011031319