Jakob von Uexk��ll

<p>The book is a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Estonian-German biologist Jakob von Uexk��ll. After a first introductory chapter by Morten T��nnessen and a second chapter on Uexk��ll's life and philosophical background it contains four chapters devoted to the analysis of his main works. They are followed by a vast eighth chapter which deals with the influence Uexk��ll had on other philosophers and scientists. Finally the author discloses his conclusions focused on the possibility of updating Uexk��ll���s work. As far as the key issue is concerned the Uexk��llian Umwelt is the perceptive and operative world which surrounds animal species; it is a subjective species-specific construction which provides living organisms with great security and behaviour stability. The relationship that the animal carries out with its environment is a complex system of semiotic interactions: its behaviour is not a set of mechanical reactions but a spontaneous attribution of meaning to the outside world.</p>