Read the text and get ready to talk about Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Ludwig was born near Vienna on September 19, 1901. In 1918, he went to the University of Innsbruck, and later transferred to the University of Vienna, where he studied the history of art, philosophy, and biology. He received his doctorate in 1926, with a PhD dissertation on Gustav Fechner.

In 1928, he published «Modern Theories of Development»,where he introduced the question of whether we could explain biology in purely physical terms. In 1937, he went to the University of Chicago, where he gave his first lecture on General Systems Theory, which he saw as a methodology for all sciences. In 1939, he became a professor at the University of Vienna and continued his research on the comparative physiology of growth. He summarized his work in «Problems of Life», published in 1940.

In 1949, he emigrated to Canada, where he began research on cancer. Soon, he branched into cognitive psychology.

In 1960, he became professor of theoretical biology in the department of zoology and psychology at the University of Alberta. In 1967, he wrote «Robots, Men, and Minds», and in 1968, he wrote «General Systems Theory».

Ludwig von Bertalanffy died of a heart attack on June 12, 1972.

8. Answer the following questions:

1. When and where was Ludwig von Bertalanffy born?

2. What degrees did he receive?

3. What works did he write?

4. What was he interested in?

5. When and why did he die?

9. Say whether the following statements true or false:

1. Ludwig was born near Vienna on September 19, 1910.

2. He gave his first lecture on General Systems Theory.

3. In 1939, he became a professor at the University of Vienna and continued his research…

4. In 1960, he became professor of theoretical biology in the department of zoology and psychology at the University of Alberta.

5. Ludwig von Bertalanffy died of a cancer on June 12, 1972.

10. Finish the sentences according to the text:

1. In 1928, he published…

2. In 1937, he went to the University of Chicago…

3. He summarized his work in «Problems of Life», published...

4. In 1949, he emigrated to Canada…

5. Soon, he branched into...

11. Insert the right prepositions where necessary*:

1. In 1918, he went … the University … Innsbruck, and later transferred … the University … Vienna.

2. He received his doctorate... 1926, with a PhD dissertation... Gustav Fechner.

3.... 1967, he wrote «Robots, Men, and Minds», and … 1968, he wrote «General Systems Theory».

4. He introduced the question … whether we could explain biology … purely physical terms.

5. In 1960, he became professor … theoretical biology … the department … zoology and psychology … the University … Alberta.

12. Insert the articles where necessary*:

1. He studied … history of art, philosophy, and biology.

2. In 1967, he wrote … «Robots, Men, and Minds», and in … 1968, he wrote … «General Systems Theory».

3. In 1937, he went to … University of … Chicago.

4. He gave his first lecture on … General Systems Theory, which he saw as … methodology for all sciences.

5. Ludwig von Bertalanffy died of … heart attack on … June 12, 1972.

13. Speak about:

- the biography of Ludwig von Bertalanffy;

- research work of Ludwig von Bertalanffy;

- the works he published.

14. Work in groups. Find out from your partners:

- Where Ludwig von Bertalanffy studied and worked;

- What he was studying.

Lesson 13 Comprehension check

1. His research was predominantly concerned with the senses of touch and kinesthesia:

a) Norbert Wiener

b) Ernst Weber

c) Kurt Goldstein

2. Interest in measurement led to his invention of the weather map and to suggesting the use of fingerprints to Scotland Yard:

a) Sir Francis Galton

b) John Broadus Watson

c) Edmund Husserl

3. He had suffered from an intense fear of the dark since childhood — due to stories he had heard in childhood about the devil doing his work in the night — and this grew into depression.

a) Martin Heidegger

b) John Broadus Watson

c) Kurt Goldstein

4. He agonized over the connection between mathematics and the nature of the mind:

a) Edmund Husserl

b) Martin Heidegger

c) Ludwig von Bertalanffy

5. He spent his entire life asking one question: What is it «to be»?:

a) Martin Heidegger

b) Norbert Wiener

c) Ernst Weber

6. He developed a holistic view of brain function, based on research that showed that people with brain damage learned to use other parts of their brains in compensation:

a) Kurt Goldstein

b) Sir Francis Galton

c) John Broadus Watson

7. He was concerned that someday machines may overtake us, their creators:

a) Ernst Weber

b) Kurt Goldstein

c) Norbert Wiener

8. He published «Modern Theories of Development»,where he introduced the question of whether we could explain biology in purely physical terms:

a) Norbert Wiener

b) Ludwig von Bertalanffy

c) Sir Francis Galton

9. He was one of the third of 13 children:

a) Ernst Weber

b) John Broadus Watson

c) Ludwig von Bertalanffy

10. He was the first cousin of Charles Darwin:

a) Sir Francis Galton

b) Kurt Goldstein

c) Edmund Husserl

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27