Complexity and the Arrow of Time

Cambridge University Press
Edition: 1st Edition, 8/8/2013
EAN 9781107027251, ISBN10: 110702725X

Hardcover, 368 pages, 22.8 x 15.2 x 2 cm
Language: English

There is a widespread assumption that the universe in general, and life in particular, is 'getting more complex with time'. This book brings together a wide range of experts in science, philosophy and theology and unveils their joint effort in exploring this idea. They confront essential problems behind the theory of complexity and the role of life within it: what is complexity? When does it increase, and why? Is the universe evolving towards states of ever greater complexity and diversity? If so, what is the source of this universal enrichment? This book addresses those difficult questions, and offers a unique cross-disciplinary perspective on some of the most profound issues at the heart of science and philosophy. Readers will gain insights in complexity that reach deep into key areas of physics, biology, complexity science, philosophy and religion.

1. What is complexity? Is it increasing? Charles H. Lineweaver, Paul C. W. Davies and Michael Ruse
2. Directionality principles from cancer to cosmology Paul C. W. Davies
3. A simple treatment of complexity
cosmological entropic boundary conditions on increasing complexity Charles H. Lineweaver
4. Using complexity science to search for unity in the natural sciences Eric J. Chaisson
5. On the spontaneous generation of complexity in the universe Seth Lloyd
6. Emergent spatiotemporal complexity in field theory Marcelo Gleiser
7. Life
the final frontier for complexity? Simon Conway Morris
8. Evolution beyond Newton, Darwin, and entailing law
the origin of complexity in the evolving biosphere Stuart A. Kauffman
9. Emergent order in processes
the interplay of complexity, robustness, correlation, and hierarchy in the biosphere D. Eric Smith
10. The inferential evolution of biological complexity
forgetting nature by learning to nurture David C. Krakauer
11. Information width
a way for the second law to increase complexity David Wolpert
12. Wrestling with biological complexity
from Darwin to Dawkins Michael Ruse
13. The role of generative entrenchment and robustness in the evolution of complexity William C. Wimsatt
14. On the plurality of complexity-producing mechanisms Philip Clayton
Index.