Autopoiesis
see www.prototista.org/E-Zine/Autopoiesis.htm
I often see people use this term in their writing though even after reading this article I need to do some more reading of primary material to like really understand what it means, and then I have to figure out how to pronounce it so I can toss the term out casually in conversation. From what I gather, autopoiesis theoretical basis is systems complexity and dynamic change rather than the static view found in mechanistic determinism. Starting with one of the books mentioned, Fritjof Capra’s "The Web of Life," is probably a good place to begin as he writes in an accessible fashion.
Another reference mentioned in this article is Principia Cybernetica Web (website).
