Toward a Special and General Theory
of Autevolution
of Autevolution
1991/1997
Expanded Table of Contents
- Abstract
- 1997 Foreword
- About the first and second edition
The evolution controversy: mechanical vs. organic
Cautious revolutions
Advances in Physics and the nature of consciousness
Consistency with current theories
Toward a special and general theory of autevolution
Quantum reality — is the “many worlds” interpretation reasonable?
The Cat Paradox
Why must autevolution be consistent with existing models?
Is autevolution reductionistic?
Is autevolution vitalistic?
What is art? - Introduction
- Historical concepts
The Chapman conference
Ecological and evolutionary Gaia
A search for theoretical foundations - The Gaia worldview (and the need for theoretical foundations)
- The Gaia metaphor
Worldviews
Need for an evolutionary worldview
Need for an interdisciplinary worldview
Physics envy
Theory development
Platonic realism
Need for new theory - The Basis for Autevolution (Life as an organizing causal process)
- The basic assumption
Analogy with physics
The problem of disciplinary compartmentalization - Epistemology-I (A proposed synthesis)
- Epistemology
The search for reality
Growth of knowledge
Evaluating worldviews - Figure 1 (Model for knowledge growth, facilitated by crisis)
- Epistemology-II (Criteria for evaluation worldviews)
- Criterion 1: Parsimony
Criterion 2: Universality
Criterion 3: Crisis Resolution
Criterion 4: Consistency
Criterion 5: Formalization
Criterion 6: Fruitfulness - Discussion-I (Teleology and the origin of novelty)
- The necessity of purpose
Formal treatments of teleology
Teleology and survival
Novelty at the phenotypic level
Disciplinary compartmentalization - Discussion-II (The principle of uncertainty in autevolution)
- Form-function complimentarity
Teleology
Non-deterministic behavior
Observer participancy and biological phenomena
Biological optimization
Selective feedback
Coevolutionary implications
Resemblance to information theory - Discussion-III (Cultural perspectives)
- Growth of global system science
Figure 2: Scientific integration and global science
Thought problem on global futures - Conclusions
- New worldview
Theory of Autevolution
Implications for science
Form-function complimentarity
Punctuated equilibrium model
Importance of perception and psychology
Classical and non-classical evolution
Theoretical constraints - Footnotes
- Autevolution
Complimentarity
Consciousness
Correspondence
Mechanism or Process
Paradigm or Worldview
Philosophy of science
Positivism
Quantum implications for life
Quantum Postulate
Reality - References
Chapter references in: Scientists on Gaia
Revised and reprinted from: Kineman, John
Jay. 1991. “Gaia: hypothesis or worldview?” Paper delivered
at the American Geophysical Union annual Chapman Conference, panel
on epistemology, March, 1988, San Diego, California. Chapter 7
In: Schneider, S. H., and P. J. Boston (eds). 1991. Scientists
on Gaia. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 433p.
April 1997, All rights reserved
Please address comments to: John Jay Kineman
Readers since8/30/97: