Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Complex: a complex is composed of components that can be distinguished from each other and are relatively autonomous. Complex behavior refers to systems that consist of several components. The relative independence of the components is manifested in their behavior. Relative autonomy of the components is determined by the description of the complex as a whole._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Stephen Jay Gould on Complexes/Complexity - Dictionary of Arguments
III 140 Complex systems (e. g. sports teams) improve if their best performers play according to the same rules over a longer period of time. When a system improves, it reaches equilibrium and the range of variation decreases. III 183 Complexity/Gould: thesis: we will have to consider the complexity of the living and its historical development as a change in the entire system of variation. The apparent progress in the history of life comes about through falsification: presumably there is no average tendency to progress in the individual lines of descent at all. III 184 Development: in a system of straight-line movements limited on one side, random movement without favouring a direction inevitably causes the average position to move away from the point of origin on the wall. III 205 Complexity/Gould: thesis: the increase in complexity is not a real process. The findings as such cannot support such a theory, because in most habitats the simple forms are as prevalent today as they were in the past. (>Description levels). Complexity/GouldVsHuxley, Th. H.: the "achieved upper limit" is not a measure of a "higher degree of organization in general". III 245 Complexity/Gould: I would rather assume a slight natural overweight towards decreasing complexity in evolution. Arguments for higher complexity: there are alleged benefits in competition for resources (GouldVs). Why should it be more useful? Higher complexity can be combined with less flexibility. III 249 Definition complexity: complexity is the function of the number of its different parts and the irregularity of their arrangement, e.g. scrap yards, compost heaps. Opposite of complexity: opposite of complexity there is order, which is homogeneous and redundant, e. g. palisade fences. Complexity/evolution: e. g. there are different vertebrate sizes in vertebrates. There are two different trends: 1. the distance from the left edge (simpleness), or 2. the extension from the left edge, which is maintained. >Order._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Gould I Stephen Jay Gould The Panda’s Thumb. More Reflections in Natural History, New York 1980 German Edition: Der Daumen des Panda Frankfurt 2009 Gould II Stephen Jay Gould Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes. Further Reflections in Natural History, New York 1983 German Edition: Wie das Zebra zu seinen Streifen kommt Frankfurt 1991 Gould III Stephen Jay Gould Full House. The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin, New York 1996 German Edition: Illusion Fortschritt Frankfurt 2004 Gould IV Stephen Jay Gould The Flamingo’s Smile. Reflections in Natural History, New York 1985 German Edition: Das Lächeln des Flamingos Basel 1989 |
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> Counter arguments against Gould
> Counter arguments in relation to Complexes/Complexity
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-28