Walter Cannon’s book The Wisdom of the Body (1932) introduced the idea of homeostasis. This book is one of those classics to which reference is made without being read. (I have read it.) It is still worth reading, nearly a century after publication.
Not mentioned is how Cannon wanted to extend his ideas outside the human body. He wanted to promote homeostasis as a general principle that applies to society. He devotes an epilogue to this. It is worth reading for that and the ideas that have been discreetly overlooked.
