Gerard A. J. M. Jagers op Akkerhuis

The Third Law of Evolution and The Future of Life

A systems approach to natural philosophy

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This book offers a step-by-step introduction to an integrated theory of physical and biological evolution, from the early universe to the world we know today. To this end, the well-known laws of variation and selection are supplemented by a third law. This law describes the increase in complexity based on the transitions from quarks to hadrons, to atoms, to molecules, to bacteria, to eukaryotic cells, and so on. These insights revolutionize existing theoretical frameworks for analyzing organization in nature, accelerating developments in natural philosophy. In this way, the author develops a basic framework for thinking about evolution, which can be applied to current debates in various research fields. For example, the new approach finally helps to find the systems-based definitions of organism and life that have been sought for so long. By extrapolating the framework one can even hypothesize about future evolution and our place as humans in it. An exciting read for both philosophers and scientists.

Produktdetails

• Library of Ethics and Applied Philosophy 43
• Verlag: Springer / Springer Nature Switzerland / Springer, Berlin
• Artikelnr. des Verlages: 978-3-031-73204-1
• Seitenzahl: 372
• Erscheinungstermin: 26. November 2024
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 241mm x 160mm x 26mm
• Gewicht: 666g
• ISBN-13: 9783031732041
• ISBN-10: 3031732049
• Artikelnr.: 71477056

Inhaltsangabe

Part I INTRODUCING DUAL CLOSURE AND THE OPERATOR THEORY.- Chapter 1 Three dimensions for levels of organisation.- Chapter 2 The theorem of dual closure and how it leads to the operator hierarchy.- Chapter 3 Dual closures that cause physical operators.- Chapter 4 Dual closures that cause biological operators.- Chapter 5 Periodicity in the operator hierarchy.- Chapter 6 Elementary particles as the basis for the operator hierarchy.- Chapter 7 A top-level systemic naming of the organisation of nature.- Chapter 8 Renovating theory about levels of organisation.- Chapter 9 O-theory in the context of scientific activity.- Part II EVOLUTION EXTENDED.- Chapter 10 Defining the organism.- Chapter 11 Evolution and the emergence of complex organisms.- Chapter 12 Can the pattern of evolution be applied to non-biological things?.- Chapter 13 Predicting biological evolution.- Chapter 14 The most probable next step in the operator hierarchy.- Chapter 15 Predicting operators of the far future.- Chapter 16 Theoretical development of the term evolution.- Part III SCIENTIFIC AND PHILOSOPHICAL APPLICATIONS.- Chapter 17 A new approach to defining life.- Chapter 18 A fresh look at major evolutionary transitions.- Chapter 19 The fractal structure of knowledge.- Chapter 20 The time ribbon of the operator hierarchy.- Chapter 21 Thermodynamics and evolution.- Afterword.- Bios.- Publications about the O-theory.- Glossary inspired by the OT.- Index.- References.