Thinking in Complexity: The Computational Dynamics of Matter, Mind, and MankindThe theory of nonlinear, complex systems has become by now a proven problem-solving approach in the natural sciences. And it is now also recognized that many if not most of our social, ecological, economical and political problems are essentially of a global, complex and nonlinear nature. And it is now further accepted than any holistic perspective of the human mind and brain can hardly be achieved by any other approach. In this wide-ranging, scholarly but very concise treatment, physicist, computer scientist and philosopher Klaus Mainzer discusses, in essentially nontechnical language, the common framework behind these ideas and challenges. Emphasis is given to the evolution of new structures in natural and cultural systems and we are lead to see clearly how the new integrative approach can give insights not available from traditional reductionistic methods. The fifth edition enlarges and revises almost all sections and supplements an entirely new chapter on the complexity of economic systems. From the reviews of the fourth edition: "This book is ambitious, incredibly erudite with 22 pages of references, and is indisputably clearly and beautifully written and illustrated. It is perfectly suited to a first course on the science of complexity. Even beginners and young graduate students will have something to learn from this book." (Andre Hautot, Physicalia, Vol. 57 (3), 2005) "All-in-all, this highly recommended book is a wonderful resource for intuitive basic ideas in the need of rigorous formulation." (Albert A. Mullin, Zentralblatt MATH, vol. 1046, 2004) "Readers of this book will enjoy Mainzer's exposition, which is based on a tight coupling between classical and historical concepts from Plato and Aristotle to modern, mathematical and physical developments . Every chapter begins with a section designed to orient the reader to the perspective of philosophical developments through the ages pertinent to the topic at hand. The author takes pains to point out essential differences between classical science and the science of complexity. Thinking in Complexity is an outstandingly readable book." (Anutosh Moitra, The Industrial Physicist, August/September, 2004) |
From inside the book
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... symmetry or invariance) in time and the conservation of energy. Celestial mechanics and the pendulum without friction are prominent examples. Dissipative systems are irreversible, like Newton's force with a friction term, for instance ...
... symmetry breaking [1.5]. Philosophically speaking, the evolution of matter is caused by symmetry breaking, which was earlier mentioned by Heraclitus. Understanding complex systems and nonlinear dynamics in nature seems to yield ...
... symmetry breaking of equilibrium states (Sect. 2.4). In the present state of superstring theories and M-theory, we do not have a complete theory explaining the evolution of matter with its increasing complexity. The presocratic ...
... symmetry is followed by symmetry breaking, from which the world arises with all its observable opposites and tensions: The everlasting generative matter split apart in the creation of our world and out of it a sphere of flame grew ...
... teaching of Heraclitus; in his cosmogeny it can be understood entirely as a singular end state of the highest symmetry. After water, air, and fire were designated as original elements, 2.1 Aristotle's Cosmos and the Logos of Heraclitus 19.
Contents
1 | |
10 | |
17 | |
Complex Systems and the Evolution of Life | 87 |
Complex Systems and the Evolution of MindBrain | 123 |
Complex Systems and the Evolution of Computability | 179 |
Complex Systems and the Evolution of Economies | 311 |
Complex Systems and the Evolution of Human Culture and Society 367 | 366 |
Epilogue on Future Science and Ethics | 417 |
References 441 | 440 |
Subject Index | 469 |
Name Index 479 | 478 |