Eigenforms - Objects as Tokens for Eigenbehaviors

This essay is a contemplation of the notion of eigenform as explicated by Heinz von Foerster in his paper. In that paper Heinz performs the magic trick of convincing us that the familiar objects of our existence can be seen to be nothing more than tokens for the behaviors of the organism that create stable forms. This is not to deny an underlying reality that is the source of these objects, but rather to emphasize the role of process and the role of the organism in the production of a living map that is so sensitive that map and territory are conjoined. Von Foerster's papers in the book were instrumental in pioneering the field of second order cybernetics.