Complexity and the Arrow of Time

Written by a wide range of experts, this work presents cosmological, biological and philosophical perspectives on complexity in our universe.

Charles H. Lineweaver (Edited by), Paul C. W. Davies (Edited by), Michael Ruse (Edited by)

9781107027251, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 8 August 2013

368 pages, 14 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.74 kg

'This work is essential reading for researchers in almost every philosophy- or theory-based field. It exposes the universe as a 'quantum computer' from which meaning can be found only through intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking … Highly recommended.' J. A. van Reenen, Choice

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.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], Popular science [PDZ], History of science [PDX], Philosophy of science [PDA], Science: general issues [PD], Mathematics & science [P]