The Origins of Order: Self-organization And Selection in Evolution - Couverture rigide

Kauffman, Stuart A.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0195058119 ISBN 13 : 9780195058116

Editeur : Oxford University Press Inc, 1993

Synopsis

Stuart Kauffman has written a challenging book on the general problem of the origins of life and maintenance of order in complex biological systems. Kauffman contends that the basic concepts of Darwinian evolution by natural selection must be extended to accommodate new information from molecular biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Kauffman's hallmark is a shift to nonlinear paradigms for living systems. Kauffman argues that biological order is largely self-organized and spontaneous, and proposes to extend evolutionary theory beyond Darwin. His thesis requires three components: an understanding of spontaneous sources of order and self-organization; integration with natural selection, which in Kauffman's scheme molds biological order; and a consideration of adaptation. Origins of Order will advance our understanding of evolution and provoke considerable discussion among evolutionary, molecular and developmental biologists.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In what will certainly be one of the key works in the emerging science of complexity, Kauffman here presents a brilliant new paradigm for evolutionary biology. It extends the basic concepts of Darwinian evolution to accommodate recent findings and perspectives from the fields of biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. The book drives to the heart of the exciting debate on the origins of life and maintenance of order in complex biological systems. It focuses on the concept of self-organization - the first time this concept has been incorporated into evolutionary theory. The book shows how complex systems, contrary to expectations, can spontaneously exhibit stunning degrees of order, and how this order in turn is essential for the emergence and development of life on Earth. Origins of Order will advance our understanding of evolution and provoke considerable discussion among evolutionary, molecular, and developmental biologists.

Revue de presse

. . . an integrative book that will become a landmark and a classic as we grope towards a more comprehensive and satisfying theory of evolution. (Stephen Jay Gould)

Stuart Kauffman's book . . . is a global representation of a new field, that will greatly enhance our physical understanding of Nature . . . A superb reading, not limited to physicists and biologists, having most important implications in natural philosophy. (Manfred Eigen)

Here is a big book with a big purpose. . . . The Origins of Order is the first book to be written by any of the complexity theorists themselves, and it presents Kauffman's view of the biological realm. . . . The Origins of Order will be seen as a major work in the progression of biological theory. At the very least, Kauffman has made a persuasive case to have his bold hypothesis heard. (Roger Lewin)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford University Press Inc
• Date d'édition: 1993
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0195058119
• ISBN 13: 9780195058116
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 727
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible