Acknowledgments Introductory Chapter -- The Life and Education of Jakob von UexkÃ{uCB2E} The Basis of the Environmental Theory -- The Subjective World of the Umwelt -- The Structure of the Umwelt -- Environment and Meaning -- Influences and Interpretations of the Work of UexkÃ{uCB20}-- Conclusion. References -- Index.

The book is a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Estonian-German biologist Jakob von UexkÃ{uCB2E} After a first introductory chapter by Morten TÃņnessen and a second chapter on UexkÃ{uCB27}s life and philosophical background, it contains four chapters devoted to the analysis of his main works; they are followed by a vast eighthÂ{u3A21}pter which deals with the influence UexkÃ{uCB20}had on other philosophers and scientists, and by a conclusions focused on the possibility of updating UexkÃ{uCB22}€{u3837}ork. The monograph combines a careful reconstruction of the historical context in which the UexkÃ{uCB29}an concepts emerged (the debate between mechanism and vitalism, contemporary scientific studies) and a thorough analysis of the philosophical contents of the UexkÃ{uCB29}an views. As far as the key issue is concerned, UexkÃ{uCB22}€{u382E}otion of Umwelt refers to 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. Moreover, the relationship that the animal carries out with its environment proves to be a complex system of semiotic interactions: its behaviour is not a set of mechanical reactions, but the result of a spontaneous attribution of meaning to the outside world, whose environmental elements are actively interpreted by the subject.The environment of animal species becomes a field of meaning, an exceedingly complex subjective elaboration; this can lessen the distance between animals and men, crediting both with the cognitive ability to grasp meanings and to use signs.