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Updated: September 1, 1999 For the latest version of this theory see: TheoryofLife.org
Vyacheslav L. Kalmykov Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russian Federation E-mail: kalmykov@psn.ruAbstract It is the first (as I know) physical theory of organization and evolution of life. The theory may be of vital importance as the functional invariant (the semantic configurator) for: the
most integral understanding organization and
evolution of
life,
In the last case the theory may be considered as the conceptualization for creation the formal ontology of evolution, self organizing, complexity, life, culture and as the base for formulation of the generalized theory of any autonomous agents. It may be helpful and for creation of new computer architectures. The theory is the synthesis of my own generalized formulations of the key terms, rules, relations and the key theoretical intentions of the following fields: theoretical biology, systems theory, theory of information, theory of self-organization, theory of evolution, science of wholeness, science of synthesis, theory of function emergence, theory of complexity, cybernetics, autopoiesis, artificial life, artificial intelligence, theory of symmetry, theory of culture, theoretical ecology, theory of sustainable development. It is not unlikely that today it gives the last, most deep and most integral understanding of organization and evolution of life. And it is in the very compact form. The paper was appeared as the result of attempts of the biologist to invent and formulate the functional logic of organizing and evolving of life. This theory includes elements of axiomatic approach and is physically interpretable. It was formulated by me as the holistic system of an ideal objects (of a creative synthetic definitions) that are still absent for a sufficiently good understanding of the living. The new generalized definitions of the following notions are given:
Subjects and keywords.
Future generation computation will be characterized by the use of models and paradigms based on developments in biology [1]. There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-fertilization of ideas between researchers adopting biologically motivated and biologically inspired computing paradigms. Mathematicians and physicists would help in bridging the gap between biology on one side and computer science and artificial intelligence on the other. This work presents the generalized functional scheme (the ontological invariant) of the living as the theoretical outline of a spontaneous multidimensional holo-dynamics of any structures. The task is close to the questions of what life is and why it is organized so. Whilst traditional in the theoretical biology, these questions are at present especially urgent in connection with the problems of development of computers, robots and cyberspace. In the latter cases the development of computers with soft- or/and hardware, based in essence on the logic of organization and evolution of the living, is meant. Besides, for a valuable and justified presentation of knowledge about the living in computers a generalized (universal) functional description is necessary. The work presents such a generalized theoretical description of the life. Building of the generalized ontological invariant as specification of this theory may be the most direct way to an autonomous and creative artificial intelligence and to new foundations of computation. Theoretical ecology. In addition, this paper would be the "brick" in building of Environmental Ideology. Following the standpoint of Albert Gore [2], I believe the prospects of solving ecological problems to be, in the first line, related to the progress in overcoming the spiritual crisis consisting in the absence of an integral theoretical understanding ("The Big Picture" -[3]) of the processes underlying the dynamics of our civilization. In addition we believe [4] the main problem of environmental education to be the absence of integral ecological ideology ( generalized theoretical ecology), that is the poor language of theoretical ecology. The language of theoretical ecology means an integral system of scientific definitions of such notions as "life", "information", "living organisms" and "biosphere on the whole", as well as "evolution and criterion of its direction", "culture", "progress" etc. To our mind, the generalized theoretical ecology and the generalized theory of the living are identical. This paper may be considered as outline of the integral ecological ideology, which should help in "planting" environmental ideas into heads and hearts of ecological students. In addition the integral theoretical understanding implies the possibility of studying and projecting the balance of both local and global dynamics of our civilization in order to achieve ecological harmony. It is of fundamental inportance as and the most deep methodology for elaboration of the national information infrastructures and global information infrastructure (global information sphere). About a fear of Progress. Now some words about a rather spread fear of progress, which mounts to its maximum in the face of the "coming" cyborgs and high-intellectual robots [5]. When it really happens, the artificial intelligence systems will be as much clever and more sinless than modern people as nowadays they are excelling Man in rapidity of arithmetic calculation. People are a maternal medium for the coming robots, which is as necessary for them as the ecologically pure biosphere for the modern Man. So, it is no use of expecting these artificial creatures to destroy their maternal medium they were born by. I do not support any reduction or limitation of progress. I think the chief condition of social and ecological sustainability to consist in continuous development, constant progress, in eternal (as far as time scales of our Universe permit) cognition of the environment and people themselves aimed at perfecting the human society. These are only scientifically understood laws of organization and evolution of the living that are able to provide an ecologically balanced development of our civilization. Symmetry and a group theoretical approach. This theory includes elements of axiomatic approach and is physically interpretable. Combinatorial generation of the mathematical groupoid G of elementary operations in set R, which are not reducible to each other, is suggested as a fundamental notion for evolution of the living. This groupoid may be called "the universal ontological matrix" of any structure. The groupoid looks as the most general of all possible groupoids of symmetry. Combinatorial generation of the groupoid is the essence of evolution - the essence of life and the essence of cognition. Rules for the mechanisms of integral closure of the elementary operations onto each other in the course of biological self-organization are examined. The suggested functional invariant of organization and evolution of the organisms appears to be fundamental not only for biological objects themselves but also for any organizational levels of the living. It may be considered as "the universal invariant of complexity (or universal invariant of self-organization)". The invariant is one and the same for organization, behavior and evolution of biological life as well as of social and artificial life. Why do I try to use the group theoretical approach? As I understand it, this is the only one viable way to formulate the main points of organization, behavior and evolution of the living for science and technological use. The law of organization of integral structure and the structure symmetry is one and the same. The structure symmetry is the highest automorphism group of the structure [6]. Were
the operations in set R come from?
Some variants of this theory were prepublished earlier [4, 7-8]. The main statements, notions and interpretations Some axioms (4 in all): 1. The basis of the emergence
of life is a set of compatible structures (set M). The
set M include inorganic and organic structures of the universe. The
organic structures are of the most importance for the life emergence.
2. The environment, as an initial source of inflowing and a final drainage receiver of outflowing of substance and/or energy, is necessary for existence of the living. The environment sets the parameters under which living systems realize optimal kinetic stability in their structures. 3. Organic structures of the set M possess such a vast structural variety (polymorphism), that they are capable of establishing ten pairs of simple mutually opposite functional relations between each other, including relations of organic structures with inorganic constituents and with the environment - set R (SEE Table 1). This set of functions is basically invariant for the living. Stressing the orientation and asymmetry of the notion "function", the word "operation" is used in this work as a synonym. 4. There is the physically interpretableautonomous
integral unit of behavior and evolution of the organic
structure(s). The application of the
extreme physical principles to this autonomous unit is possible.
The unit is the specific ecosystem
of organic structure(s).
Table
1. Set R includes ten pairs of mutually antipodal
elementary operations (with substance, energy and information)
on the set of compatible organic structures of set
M that underlie the living
The operations of set R and their combinations entirely cover all kinds of relations that are obligatory for emergence and for a stable existence of organic structures of the set M. The operations are equally be performed with substance and energy and information. The operations of set R generate the mathematical groupoid G over all possible combinations. The proofs are: 1. In case of combinations (unlike permutation) the sequence of operations is not significant, hence the performance of properties of associativity appears.Conceivably the groupoid G might represent a strict group, but it is necessary to look more closely at this suggestion. Self-organization
is
a spontaneous emergence of the structures of order in the course of spontaneous
processes.
The possible types of order of structures are as follows: 1. The static ones. For instance, molecules and their crystals.When examining the structure (a complex of interacting substructures) as a single whole (as if "from outside"), we are speaking about the macroapproach. Here the inner substructures (microlevel) are ignored, and the generalized characteristics of the state only are relevant. These generalized characteristics, like free energy, symmetry and entropy, allow us to speak about the structure transformations (transitional structures of order). In case of the microapproach the structure is supposed to be examined from inside, and behavioural characteristics of the substructures (microstructures) are relevant. In the macroapproach the notion "space of possible (virtual) transitional states of structures of order" is used. This space is the morphogenetic space. In the microapproach we use the notion "space of possible behavioural forms of the substructure (microstructure) of the first lower level of structure organization". The last space is the behavioural space. There are certain criteria (the extreme physical principles) for the direction of spontaneous autonomous transformations of macrostructures, i.e. a spontaneous behavior of microstructures within an isolated macrostructure is only "permitted" when: 1. Free energy of the macrostructure (its capability of doing some work) decreases. 2. Entropy of the macrostructure increases. 3. Symmetry of the macrostructure increases. By "macrostructure of organic
structure" in this paper I mean "a
specific ecosystem of organic structure(s)".
As for entropy, the matter is more difficult. In this work the complete entropy of an isolated structure of order is defined as a volume of the space of possible transitional structures of order on their way to equilibrium. This definition is close to that of absolute entropy by Max Plank [14, 15], which does not require any probabilistic ideas and is applicable to physical structures with any number of degrees of freedom. I believe that the conception
about the space of possible transitional structures of order could be
defined as a space of
possible transitional groups of the structure symmetry.
Hence it appears that complete
entropy of the structure is an extensive
characteristic of its potential (evolutionary achievable) symmetry,
which seems to be rather paradoxical.
Origin and evolution of the living is a self-organization of the organic structures of order. Spontaneous formation of these complexes occur in such a way that the combinations, satisfying the formulated extreme principles, are realized. New self-organized structures of order are formed on the basis of the kinetic stabilities achieved earlier. So, each step within self-organization means an increase in the specific contribution of new-emerging structures to realization of the formulated extreme principles, in particular the specific power and/or specific symmetry of the structure continuously increase. Therefore
In the divisor of the specific product of its power on its symmetry may be some extensive characteristic of the structure - for example the mass. Let us consider emergence of organisms and/of of organizations on the basis of the set of organic structures. The following steps of self-organization of organic structures leading to the origin and evolution of the living can be discerned: 1. Emergence of elementary cycles of catalysis;It may be hypothesized that the algorithm of the cycle of self-organization from 1 to 1', etc. is an invariant not only for organisms and organizations, but also for ideas. In the latter case it may be named "the invariant cognitive cycle" (SEE line E of Table 2). Here are some metaphors of understanding (Table 2.): Table
2. The metaphoric examples of the emergence
stages
On the levels A, B, C, D and F functional algorithm of subordination is similar.
Information mediating the selection of these behavioural forms appears at the points where alternative behavioural forms (combinations of dissipation flows) are equally probable or realization of hardly probable behavioural forms is necessary from the standpoint of satisfaction of extreme principles. Realization of the selection of the given behavioural form by the structure occurs with the help of controlling substructures making selective steps in potential kinetic barriers, which keep back the dissipation of free energy of the structure and/or selectively lower such potential barriers in accordance with the available information. The mediating function of information becomes a participator of principle in mutual co-ordination of self-organised organic structures beginning with the stage of emergence of hypercycles. Information is the central factor determining the stability and the functional efficiency of informationally mediated stationary structures that living organisms belong to. Hence, the main link in the evolutionary process of the living is a functional perfection for obtaining, accumulating, processing and using information. From our standpoint, the physical essence of information and the physical essence of the living are in close interrelation. The well-known theory of optimal coding by Claude Shannon, based on the statistical determination of entropy, is very often called the theory of information. Yet both statistical manipulations by quantity of bits in a file and statistical manipulations by quantity of individuals in a population did not allow us simply and distinctly to understand the physical essence of these phenomena until now. A long search for physical specificity of the living did not permit us to relate it either to growth, or to reproduction, or to structural regeneration, or to substance exchange ... These phenomena have been found in crystals and other purely physicochemical structures. Information is the only attribute, which specifically inheres in the living.The function of information is a configuring mediating co-ordination of processes, taking place in organisms, and with each other. The co-ordination and organization of all living processes presume the presence of purposefulness that is intrinsic for the living. To our mind, the physical side of this purposefulness consists in that the living is not a direct way of realizing extreme physical principles, as these occur in traditional physics, but an organizationally mediated one. When considering the living as a "black box", then the change in generalized physical characteristics at the entrance and exit of this black box will correspond to our extreme physical principles. At the same time, some processes, hardly probable from the standpoint of traditional physics, may deterministically occur inside this black box. Determined realization of such hardly probable processes is the consequence of living organization, which is mediated by information. Thus, information fulfills the function of mediating the co-organization of living processes. Life is, in its turn, the way of realizing extreme principles of physics through integral co-organization of behavior of living elements.
Functionally, information
manifests itself in three different forms, being part of
three integrating functions: control, reproduction and creation.
The three functions integrate elementary operations
set R to angle whole within functional intraclosures.
Reproduction is a cycle of the structure transformations under control, which results in emergence of its copy. Creation
is the combinatorial
process forming a new type information
Reproduction is the hypercycle of the control cycles and creation is inducing a polimorphism by hypercycle of reproduction cycles. Arising in the creation cycle information is the base for reproduction of controlling structures on the new higher level of organization and behaviour. Creation is the emergent function. Life is a spontaneous process of combinatorial generation of the groupoid G of functional intraclosures (organisms, organizations) by combining the operations of the set R above the set M. Culture
is
the whole complex of all the highest
(the evolutionary most progressive) achievements
in all fields
of human activities.
The real content of individual elements of culture (professional positions) are in addition profoundly differentiated. So, each of the 9 cells in Table 3 can be divided into analogous 9 subcells. This results from the formulated combinatorial nature of life. And according to common sense, it is clear as well, that, for instance, there are some elements of art in real policy, and there are some elements of ideology in real religion (or art). Table
3. Functional Elements of Culture (the most general fields
of professional work of the active persons - mentors
and generators of ideas) as combinatorial length two combinations of integrating
operations: creation, reproduction and control
CrCr: creation of creation; CR: creation of reproduction; etc. New information emerges in the course of creation, and by means of reproduction it is used as the basis of control processes. Old information moves in the opposite direction - from control to reproduction and from reproduction to creation. This results from the definitions formulated in this work as well as from common sense. Hence, a conclusion inevitably comes to mind: in culture new information emerges in religion, art and metaphysics and moves through science to policy and, farther on, to upbringing, education, teaching, methodology and, in the end, to ideology (SEE Table 3). But it is the moving of new information through active persons (through subjects) - through the mentors and through so called generators of ideas. Old information moves in culture through in the opposite direction beginning with ideology. The moving of information through passive persons (through objects) is something different - from religion, art and metaphysics through upbringing to methodology and, farther on, to science, education, organization, policy, teaching and, in the end, to ideology (SEE Table 4). Old information moves in the reverse sequence beginning with ideology. Table
4.
Functional Elements of Culture (the most general fields
of
professional work of the passive persons - students
and others users of ideas) as length two permutations of integrating operations:
creation, reproduction and control
CrCr: creation of creation; CR: creation of reproduction; etc. The report on the united logic of organization, behavior and evolution of the living would be incomplete without an additional precision of creation mechanisms. When defining creation as a specific combinatorial process, sources of its participators should be considered as well. Creation can occur on the basis of a fixed number of known elements to be combined. In case the range of known (accessible) combined elements is not replenished, the creation process may reach a deadlock, and new creative prospects can arise thanks to discovery either of new, earlier unknown elements or to that of new sources of the exhausted known elements. Let us consider the motive power of the combinatorial creation process. When life is born, it is mainly a chaotic thermal motion in the primary "broth" of organic and inorganic molecules. In the most ordinary organisms the chaotic behavior is supplemented with sexual process, the essence of which is to provide genetic combinations. In the human society the sexual process mounts tothe highest form of emotions - love for cognition, which provide motivation of the tendency towards a search as well as a creative combination of information as knowledge that is the basis of human activities and creative development of techniques. I thank Mr. Alexander S. Kharitonov and Mr. Chris Lucas for stimulating, helpful discussions and technical assistance. Many thanks to my unknown referees for the feedbacks which were highly useful for me. REFERENCES 1. Program of the conference "Bio-Computing and Emergent Computation" (BCEC97), Scovde, Sweden, September 1-2, 1997 - available http://www.his.se/ida/~bcec 2. Gore Albert (1992) "Earth in the Balance - Ecology and the Human Spirit", Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 407 p. 3. Cothern, C. Richard (1995) "Handbook for Environmental Risk Decision Making: Values, Perceptions, and Ethics", Lewis Publisher (an imprint of CRC Press, N.Y.), p. 60. 4. Kalmykov V.L. and Kharitonov A.S. (1996) "Theoretical Global Ecology. Integral Logic of Organization of the Living", SMBnet archives in directory smb/pubs as two files: README_VL_Kalmykov_ILOL and VL_Kalmykov_ILOL.tar.Z; files may be got via: ftp://ftp.ncifcrf.gov/smb/pubs/README_VL_Kalmykov_ILOL
5. Kelly Patricia (1998) "Swiss scientists warn of robot Armageddon", CNN, Feb. 18, 1998 http://www.cnn.com/TECH/science/9802/18/swiss.robot 6. Shubnikov, A.V. and Koptsik, V.A. (1974) "Symmetry in Science and Art", N.Y., chap. 12 7. Kalmykov V.L. (1997) "The Generalised Theory of Life (The Abstract Theory of Spontaneous Organizing and Evolving of Complex Systems - Towards a General Physical Understanding and Integral Computer Simulation of Life)", 14 p., August 1997, - published by web-site of International research and educational organization "The Complexity & Artificial Life Research Concept for Self-Organizing Systems (CALResCo)": http://www.calresco.org/kalmykov/vlktgtol.htm 8. Kalmykov V.L. (1997) "The Abstract Theory
of Evolution of the Living", in Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer
Verlag, vol. 1305, pp. 43-51, 1997.
http://www.stormloader.com/theory/atel.htm 9. Kalmykov V.L.: "The Integral Algorithm of Organization and Evolution of the Living Up to Culture - the Possible Instrument for Genetic Programming", In Proceedings of the First On-line Workshop on Soft Computing (1996), General chair of WSC1 T. Furuhashi, Nagoya University, pp. 284-289. http://www.calresco.org/kalmykov/vlkiaoe.txt
10. Kalmykov V.L.: "The Functional Scheme of Organization and Evolution of the Living. The meccano of a biocomputer", SMB net archives (1995) in directory smb/pubs as two files: README_VL_Kalmykov_FSOEL and VL_Kalmykov_FSOEL.tar.Z.; files may be got via: ftp://ftp.ncifcrf.gov/smb/pubs/README_VL_Kalmykov_FSOEL
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11. Kalmykov, V.L. (1988) "The significance of the Theoretical Biology for Biotechnology" (preprint in Russian), Pushchino, 11 pages 12. Curie, P.: Journ. de Phys. (III), 3 (1894) 393 13. Koptsik, V.A., "Group-Theoretical Methods in Physics" and "Symmetry Principle in Physics":J. Physics vol. C (1983) 16 14. Planck, M., "Eine neue statistische Definition der Entropie", - Z. Phys. 35 (1925), 155-169. 15. Planck, M., "Uber die statistische Entropie definition", - Sitzungsber. Acad. Wiss. Berlin, phys.-math, Kl.,(1925) 442-451 16. Eigen, M. & Schuster, P., "The Hypercycle. A Principle of Natural Self-Organization" (Springer-Verlag, Berlin) (1979) |
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