Reflections on learning and addiction: porpoises and palm trees

To provide a glimpse into Gregory Bateson's thought processes about addiction and learning.

This piece is a combination of a transcribed and edited lecture called Civilizations and addiction II, and a previously unpublished piece from the Angel's Fear manuscripts, “Definition of Addiction.”

Addiction is examined as a relationship between two or more entities.

This paper may provide a different and more integrated understanding of addiction. It may also lead to further research, into re‐thinking the nature addiction, and subsequent courses of action to get through addictive situations.

This paper forms a valuable insight into numerous current cultural, social and individual issues dealing with addiction, and achieving higher levels of learning.