Worldviews, Science and Us: Philosophy and Complexity : University of Liverpool, UK, 11-14 September 2005Scientific, technological, and cultural changes have always had an impact upon philosophy. They can force a change in the way we perceive the world, reveal new kinds of phenomena to be understood, and provide new ways of understanding phenomena. Complexity science, immersed in a culture of information, is having a diverse but particularly significant impact upon philosophy. Previous ideas do not necessarily sit comfortably with the new paradigm, resulting in new ideas or new interpretations of old ideas.In this unprecedented interdisciplinary volume, researchers from different backgrounds join efforts to update thinking upon philosophical questions with developments in the scientific study of complex systems. The contributions focus on a wide range of topics, but share the common goal of increasing our understanding and improving our descriptions of our complex world. This revolutionary debate includes contributions from leading experts, as well as young researchers proposing fresh ideas. |
Contents
Introduction Carlos Gershenson Diederik Aerts and Bruce Edmonds | 1 |
Restricted Complexity General Complexity Edgar Morin | 5 |
Complexity Science as an Aspect of the Complexity of Science Don C Mikulecky | 30 |
On the Importance of a Certain Slowness Paul Cilliers | 53 |
Simplicity is Not TruthIndicative Bruce Edmonds | 65 |
Can the Whole be More than the Computation of the Parts? A Reflection on Emergence Camilo Olaya | 81 |
Why Diachronically Emergent Properties Must Also Be Salient Cyrille Imbert | 99 |
On the Relativity of Recognising the Products of Emergence and the Nature of the Hierarchy of Physical Matter Kurt A Richardson | 117 |
Some Problems for an Ontology of Complexity Michael McGuire | 181 |
How to Love the Bomb Trying to Solve the Prisoners Dilemma with Evolutionary Game Theory Vasco Castela | 203 |
Physical Complexity and Cognitive Evolution Peter Jedlicka | 221 |
Autonomy Information Function Walter Riofrio | 232 |
Grasping the Complexity of Living Systems Through Integrative Levels and Hierarchies J M Siqueiros and Jon Umerez | 250 |
The Very Idea Nuno David Jaime Simio Sachman and Helder Coelho | 266 |
A Compromise Between Reductionism and NonReductionism Eray Ozkural | 285 |
The Complexity of InformationProcessing Tasks in Vision John Symons | 300 |
Truth in Complex Adaptive Systems Models should be Based on Proof by Constructive Verification David Shipworth | 141 |
Considerations on the New Science in the Context of Western Intellectual History Damian Popolo | 156 |
Epistemological Considerations on Complexity Science Rodrigo Zeidan and Maria Fonseca | 173 |
On the Possible Computational Power of the Human Mind Hector Zenil and Francisco Hernandez Quiroz | 315 |
How Does Complex Mathemical Theory Arise? Phylogenetic and Cultural Origins of Algebra? Helen De Cruz | 338 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abstract abstract machine algorithmic complexity altruism approach argue argument artificial artificial neural network behaviour biological brain causal cell Chaitin chaos theory classical cognitive cognitive biology complex adaptive systems complex systems complexity science components computational power concept context defined definition developed dynamic systems emergent properties empirical encoding entities entropy environment epistemic epistemological equilibrium evolution example existence explanation formal system formal verification function fundamental game theory hierarchy human idea information-processing informational dynamic system interactions kind knowledge language laws logical Marr's mathematical mechanisms metaphysical mind nature neural network neurons notion novelty objects ontological oracle organization paradigm patterns perspective phenomena Philosophy of Science physical complexity possible predict principle problem random rational real number reason reductionism relation representations result role scientific scientists self-organized simplicity simulation social sciences structure theoretical thermodynamic tion Turing degree Turing machine understand University Press weak emergence