A Third Window: Natural Life Beyond Newton and DarwinTempleton Press, 2009 - 196 Thus far, the dominant paradigms through which modern scientists have viewed nature have been structured primarily around Newtonian and Darwinian approaches. As theoretical ecologist Robert E. Ulanowicz observes in his new work, A Third Window, neither of these models is sufficient for explaining how real change—in the form of creative advance or emergence—takes place in nature. The metaphysical foundations laid by these great thinkers centuries ago are ill suited to sustain today's search for a comprehensive description of complex living systems. Ecosystem dynamics, for example, violate each and every one of the Newtonian presuppositions. Hence, Ulanowicz offers his titular "third window"—a new way of understanding evolution and other natural processes beyond the common mechanistic or materialistic philosophies of nature.Drawing on the writings of Walter Elsasser, Karl Popper, Gregory Bateson, Robert Rosen, and Alfred North Whitehead, as well as his own experience as a theoretical ecologist, Ulanowicz offers a new set of axioms for how nature behaves. Chance and disarray in natural processes are shown to be necessary conditions for real change. Randomness is shown to contribute richness and autonomy to the natural world. The metaphysical implications of these new axioms will lend A Third Window a wide appeal not only among scientists, but also among philosophers, theologians, and general readers who follow the science and religion dialogue. Ulanowicz's fresh perspective adds a new voice to the discussion. |
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Strona 43
... tempted at first to dismiss Elsasser's claims , like those of Bateson , as preposterous , were Elsasser's assertions not so easy to rationalize and quantify . Elsasser treated the discontinu- How Can Things Truly Change ? 43.
... tempted at first to dismiss Elsasser's claims , like those of Bateson , as preposterous , were Elsasser's assertions not so easy to rationalize and quantify . Elsasser treated the discontinu- How Can Things Truly Change ? 43.
Strona 44
... Elsasser treated the discontinu- ous nature of events in biology from two different perspectives . In the first , he considers complex events in terms of combina ... Elsasser's warning pertain to com- plex 44 How Can Things Truly Change ?
... Elsasser treated the discontinu- ous nature of events in biology from two different perspectives . In the first , he considers complex events in terms of combina ... Elsasser's warning pertain to com- plex 44 How Can Things Truly Change ?
Strona 45
... Elsasser's result is important to ecologists because it is almost impossible for anyone dealing with real ecosystems to consider one that is composed of fewer than seventy - five distin- guishable individuals ( e.g. , Kolasa and Pickett ...
... Elsasser's result is important to ecologists because it is almost impossible for anyone dealing with real ecosystems to consider one that is composed of fewer than seventy - five distin- guishable individuals ( e.g. , Kolasa and Pickett ...
Spis treści
Introduction | 1 |
How Can Things Truly Change? | 40 |
How Can Things Persist? | 57 |
Prawa autorskie | |
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activity agency aleatoric appear assumptions atomism autocatalysis balls Bateson becomes behavior belief biology biosphere calculated causal causes centripetality chance events chapter closure coherent compartment complex chance conditional entropy configurations of processes constraints Darwin Darwinian digraphs dynamics ecological metaphysic ecologists ecosystem effect elements Elsasser Elsasser's emergence Eugene Odum evolution evolutionary example existence feedback Figure flow networks flows fundamental genes genome Gregory Bateson heterogeneous increasing ascendency indeterminacy information theory interactions living systems magnitudes material mathematical matter mechanical metaphysic methodological naturalism molecules muscadine mutual narrative nature Newton Newtonian Newtonian worldview notion Odum outcome particles pathways periphyton perspective phenomena physical physicists Popper possible postulate preadaptations process ecology propensities quantify quantum radical rational reader realm reductionism remain result role Rutledge scenario scientific selection simple structure suggested swim bladders theists thermodynamics third window tion tive transcendental Ulanowicz 1986 Utricularia Walter Elsasser weighted digraphs wicz zooplankton