From Complexity to Life: On The Emergence of Life and Meaning

by Niels Henrik Gregersen (Editor)

Overview

From Complexity to Life, brings together an impressive group of leading scholars in the sciences of complexity, and a few workers on the interface of science and religion, to explore the wider implications of complexity studies. It includes an introduction to complexity studies and explores the concept of information in physics and biology and various philosophical and religious perspectives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190287863
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/28/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

Contributors1. Introduction: Towards an Emergentist Worldview, Paul DaviesPART I. DEFINING COMPLEXITY2. Randomness and Mathematical Proof, Gregory J. Chaitin3. How to Define Complexity in Physics, and Why, Charles H. BennettPART II. THE CONCEPT OF INFORMATION IN PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY4. The Emergence of Autonomous Agents, Stuart Kauffman5. Complexity and the Arrow of Time, Paul Davies6. Can Evolutionary Algorithms Generate Specified Complexity?, William A. Dembski7. The Second Law of Gravutucs and the Fourth Law of Thermodynamics, Ian Stewart8. Two Arros from a Mighty Bow, Werner R. LoewensteinPART III. PHILOSOPHICAL AND RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES9. Emergence of Transcendence, Harold J. Morowitz10. Complexity, Emergence, and Divine Creativity, Arthur Peacocke11. From Anthropic Design to Self-Organized Complexity, Niels Henrik GregersenIndex

Editorial Reviews

"A success." — C.P. Goodman, The Polyani Society Periodical

"This volume could well serve as the core resource for undergraduates studying contemporary science and philosophy."—CHOICE, P. D. Skiff

From the Publisher