Toward a Special and General Theory of Autevolution
John Jay Kineman
The paper can be accessed on the Web at the following URL:
http://www.cybercity.hko.net/Denver/bmi/autevol.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
Abstract:
The concept of autevolution was formed during a 1988 conference on the Gaia
hypothesis. Strong forms of Gaia and self-defining systems are found to
share an interdisciplinary worldview where biological forms embody a source
of novelty at the behavioral (functional) level that can be causally active
in both ecology and evolution. This worldview requires, but nevertheless
lacks, a basis for non-deterministic innovation at the organism and system
level. A strong theoretical foundation may be found in quantum physics, in
the principle of observership, and recent confirmation that quantum
correlation can be magnified to macroscopic scale within suitable structures.
The term autevolution, or "self-evolution," is proposed to refer to
evolution of the experiential or perceptual "self" and the role of that self
in evolution. A corresponding theory is proposed, which states that the
biological evolution of macroscopic quantum "observership" is the basis of
self-definition within living organisms, and that self-definition evolves in
a complimentarity relationship with form (special case). The general case
states that this process may significantly influence the evolution and
ecology of complex systems.
It is thus proposed that a quantum theoretical non-deterministic worldview
be adopted to unify the foundations of ecology and evolution, and that a
common theoretical basis for phenotypic creativity be formalized. It is
further proposed that the modern synthetic theory of evolution be modified
to include a second order influence (with respect to deterministic
processes) of organisms on their environment. The basis for a scientific
theory of autevolution is suggested from the view that the creative property
of life is, in theory, a fundamental property of matter that has been
magnified through evolution. Evolutionary complementarity between form and
functioin involves an uncertainty principle analogous to quantum
uncertainty. Arguments are presented that such a theory (and corresponding
non-deterministic worldview) is needed to resolve current paradoxes and
inconsistencies in the foundations of ecology and evolution.
The philosophical validity of autevolution is evaluated from basic
principles using six criteria for evaluating worldviews. An integrated model
for epistemological synthesis is presented emphasizing a realist approach to
theory development, paradox resolution, and theory integration. This model
offers a basis for evaluating revolutionary worldviews and their consequent
theories, such as that proposed for autevolution. It also suggests an
approach for understanding the punctuated-stability nature of scientific
progress in general, and biological evolution through analogy with information.
Although autevolution and its implied worldview is found to be
epistemologically valid, present theoretical barriers, particularly
scientific compartmentalization, are found to be the main obstacles to
acceptance across disciplines. The remaining criteria for the theory to meet
are formalization and fruitfulness. Some guidelines are provided to
accomplish the former, and a computer simulation of autevolution is
suggested as an initial test. The demonstration of fruitfulness depends
first on such formailzation. Further development of these ideas may provide
the basis for a more general theory of autevolution dealing with system
properties involving evolutionary Gaia principles of self-organization,
self-regulation, cooperation, and coevolution.
-----------------------------------------------
John J. Kineman, Physical Scientist/Ecologist
National Geophysical Data Center
325 Broadway E/GC1 (3100 Marine St. Rm: A-152)
Boulder, Colorado 80303 USA
(303) 497-6900 (phone)
(303) 497-6513 (fax)
jjk@ngdc.noaa.gov (email)
(303) 497-6513 (fax)
"The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all
they know and then stop." -- Mark Twain