>*) what's the relation between dissipative and self-producing?
They resemble each other greatly. Both are far from equilibrium systems. Both
have an overall boundary/unity of some sort created by its far-from-equilibrium.
The qualitative difference between the two is the following:
1. Autopoiesis is organizationally closed while dissipative structure is
organizationally open.
2. The unity of autopoiesis is defined by its own self-production while the
unity
of dissipative structure is defined by its far-from-equilibrium.
3. In the dissipative structure energy flow through the system is solely
determined by external variables. (analogous to cold-bloodedness) In autopoiesis
the energy flow through the system is homeostatically controlled by the
autopoietic system. (analogic to warm-bloodedness) That is, if you turn off the
energy tap the dissipative systems will simply disintegrate while the
autopoietic system would try to counteract this. Autopoietic Death could
therefore be seen as an organisms "allergic" reaction to disintegration.
4. Autopoiesis is a super-efficient mode of organization. It has no lacks and no
surplus, it is in complete balance. Therefore it does not experience time. All
its resources are consumed in its self-production. In other words, we may equate
organizational closure with balance and organizational openness with unbalance.
Quantitative differences:
1. A dissipative structure is much, much more robust than an autopoietic system.
A dissipative structure can actually go completely out of existence and still be
able to re-emerge. An autopoietic system, however, is gone for good when dead.
It cannot spontaniously reappear as easily as dissipative structures.
>Are they
>disjoint?
Yes, they are. Both are independent emergent levels of organization. Autopoiesis
just happens to be a natural extension of the dissipative.
Onar.