Emergent Evolution

Qualitative Novelty and the Levels of Reality

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects, History
Cover of the book Emergent Evolution by David Blitz, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Blitz ISBN: 9789401580427
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: March 9, 2013
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: David Blitz
ISBN: 9789401580427
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: March 9, 2013
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Emergent evolution combines three separate but related claims, whose background, origin, and development I trace in this work: firstly, that evolution is a universal process of change, one which is productive of qualitative novelties; secondly, that qualitative novelty is the emergence in a system of a property not possessed by any of its parts; and thirdly, that reality can be analyzed into levels, each consisting of systems characterized by significant emergent properties. In part one I consider the background to emergence in the 19th century discussion of the philosophy of evolution among its leading exponents in England - Charles Darwin, Herbert Spencer, T. H. Huxley, Alfred Russel Wallace, and G. J. Romanes. Unlike the scientific aspect of the debate which aimed to determine the factors and causal mechanism of biological evolution, this aspect of the debate centered on more general problems which form what I call the "philosophical framework for evolutionary theory." This considers the status of continuity and discontinuity in evolution, the role of qualitative and quantitative factors in change, the relation between the organic and the inorganic, the relation between the natural and the supernatural, the mind-body problem, and the scope of evolution, including its extension to ethics and morals.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Emergent evolution combines three separate but related claims, whose background, origin, and development I trace in this work: firstly, that evolution is a universal process of change, one which is productive of qualitative novelties; secondly, that qualitative novelty is the emergence in a system of a property not possessed by any of its parts; and thirdly, that reality can be analyzed into levels, each consisting of systems characterized by significant emergent properties. In part one I consider the background to emergence in the 19th century discussion of the philosophy of evolution among its leading exponents in England - Charles Darwin, Herbert Spencer, T. H. Huxley, Alfred Russel Wallace, and G. J. Romanes. Unlike the scientific aspect of the debate which aimed to determine the factors and causal mechanism of biological evolution, this aspect of the debate centered on more general problems which form what I call the "philosophical framework for evolutionary theory." This considers the status of continuity and discontinuity in evolution, the role of qualitative and quantitative factors in change, the relation between the organic and the inorganic, the relation between the natural and the supernatural, the mind-body problem, and the scope of evolution, including its extension to ethics and morals.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Altered Sensations by David Blitz
Cover of the book The Economy of Green Cities by David Blitz
Cover of the book The Trophic Spectrum Revisited by David Blitz
Cover of the book The Central European Magdalenian by David Blitz
Cover of the book Language and the Phenomenological Reductions of Edmund Husserl by David Blitz
Cover of the book Denying Existence by David Blitz
Cover of the book Quality Auditing by David Blitz
Cover of the book Progress in Radiopharmacology 1985 by David Blitz
Cover of the book Value Functions for Environmental Management by David Blitz
Cover of the book Towards a Strategic Management and Decision Technology by David Blitz
Cover of the book Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics in the Early Husserl by David Blitz
Cover of the book Handbook of the Social Psychology of Inequality by David Blitz
Cover of the book Non-coding RNA and the Reproductive System by David Blitz
Cover of the book Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing by David Blitz
Cover of the book Peri-urban Water and Sanitation Services by David Blitz
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy