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. |
Z wnętrza książki
Wyniki 1 - 3 z 5
Strona 66
... periphyton ( Figure 4.2b ) . This periphyton serves in turn as food for any number of species of small zooplankton . The autocatalytic cycle is completed when the ... Periphyton Periphyton layer : Figure 4.2b . 66 How Can Things Persist ?
... periphyton ( Figure 4.2b ) . This periphyton serves in turn as food for any number of species of small zooplankton . The autocatalytic cycle is completed when the ... Periphyton Periphyton layer : Figure 4.2b . 66 How Can Things Persist ?
Strona 67
... periphyton ( speckled area ) can grow . Zooplankton consumes periphyton , and is itself trapped in bladder and absorbed in turn by the Utricularia . periphyton means more food for zooplankton , and more zoo- plankton result in more ...
... periphyton ( speckled area ) can grow . Zooplankton consumes periphyton , and is itself trapped in bladder and absorbed in turn by the Utricularia . periphyton means more food for zooplankton , and more zoo- plankton result in more ...
Strona 68
... periphyton that renders it less digestible might benefit the attached algae in the short term but would decrease the growth of Utricularia over the long haul , and that periphyton would be faced with less available habitat . In this ...
... periphyton that renders it less digestible might benefit the attached algae in the short term but would decrease the growth of Utricularia over the long haul , and that periphyton would be faced with less available habitat . In this ...
Spis treści
Introduction | 1 |
How Can Things Truly Change? | 40 |
How Can Things Persist? | 57 |
Prawa autorskie | |
Nie pokazano 5 innych sekcji
Inne wydania - Wyświetl wszystko
Kluczowe wyrazy i wyrażenia
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