question on dissipative systems

Jeff Prideaux (JPRIDEAUX@GEMS.VCU.EDU)
Wed, 23 Aug 1995 22:30:06 -0400


Onar writes:
> ...The two fields [autopoiesis and dissipative systems] have not yet
> successfully been intertwined in detail. Autopoiesis cannot currently be
> defined in terms of the formalism of dissipative systems. This may be the
> largest remaining obsticle for autopoiesis.

Would it not be true that "the formalism of dissipative systems" applies to only
a subset of dissipative systems? It might be expecting too much to try to get
it to explain the full set of dissipative systems.... I need, though, to fully
understand what is meant by "the formalism of dissipative systems".

Jeff Prideaux

P.S. And I agree that predictable (or pattern producing) paradoxes are a part
of science (by definition).