The Future of Life: A Unified Theory of Evolution represents the first comprehensive formulation of the hypothesis that evolution is the unifying force underlying the dynamics of all processes in the universe- both organic and inorganic. In essence by combining information, decision, network and quantum theory, it is demonstrated that an overarching evolutionry process shapes the spectrum of life and all phenomena in the universe, beyond Darwin's original biological theory.
The Future of Life: Meta-Evolution represents the first comprehensive formulation of the hypothesis that evolution is the unifying force underlying the dynamics of all processes in the universe, both organic and inorganic. These include all facets of human existence and civilisation- the sciences, technology, arts, humanities and religion. In essence, by applying quantum information, network and decision theory, it is demonstrated that an overarching evolutionary process shapes the spectrum of life and phenomena in the universe, as a generic paradigm beyond Darwin's original biology-based theory. The Theory of Evolution is undoubtedly the most powerful paradigm ever conceived by humans to explain their own existence. Since Darwin´s epoch-making treatise, Origin of Species', published in 1859, evolution has been centre-stage, universally recognised as the driving force in the emergence of modern humans from the genesis of life on this planet almost 4 billion years ago. However, despite its ubiquitous brilliance as the jewel in the crown of human intellectual achievement, the notion of evolution has never been developed to its full potential. It remains instead constrained within its biological cradle, often reduced in everyday connotation to its lowest common denominator of ´survival of the fittest´. The intention of this book to re-evaluate and expand the Darwinian model of evolution; to demonstrate that its current application is only the tip of the intellectual iceberg and that by combining its formidable biological principles with those of decision complexity, network, quantum and information theory, it emerges as an incalculably deeper and richer model than previously contemplated. It will be demonstrated that the evolutionary engine which drives biological development, also drives all other dynamic adaptive processes- the physical, social, cognitive, economic, political and technological and is in fact the major dynamic governing the Universe, past present and future. It is further proposed to demonstrate that recent developments in artificial intelligence and ubiquitous computing through the Internet, mark the next crucial stage in life's evolution, involving the inevitable symbiosis of vast computational intelligence with the human mind. The major hypothesis developed in this book, of a global all-encompassing Theory of Evolution, coupled with its potential for realising the emancipation of human intelligence and potential, provides a vastly more powerful paradigm for exploring the Future of Life than current scientific scenarios. The resulting Omega state of infinite knowledge and wisdom which is proposed, has been actively championed by a number of eminent 19th and 20th century philosophers such as Teillhard de Chardin, Henri Bergson, Schelling, Alfred Whitehead, Samuel Alexander and more recently by the leading physicist and futurist- Professor Frank Tipler. However to date no equivalent scientific framework for supporting such a hypothesis has been provided. In conclusion, The Future of Life: Meta-Evolution has been written not as an academic text but as primarily a non-technical review of the evidence to support such a hypothesis, in much the same vein as other recent publications in the popular science/philosophy genre. It is hoped that this approach will therefore provide a window into the wider evolutionary debate for the general reader interested in one of the most critical emerging paradigm shifts of the 21st century.
This book examines the toxicological and health implications of environmental epigenetics and provides knowledge through an interdisciplinary approach. Included in this volume are chapters outlining various environmental risk factors such as phthalates and dietary components, life states such as pregnancy and ageing, hormonal and metabolic considerations and specific disease risks such as cancer cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases. Environmental Epigenetics imparts integrative knowledge of the science of epigenetics and the issues raised in environmental epidemiology. This book is intended to serve both as a reference compendium on environmental epigenetics for scientists in academia, industry and laboratories and as a textbook for graduate level environmental health courses. Environmental Epigenetics imparts integrative knowledge of the science of epigenetics and the issues raised in environmental epidemiology. This book is intended to serve both as a reference compendium on environmental epigenetics for scientists in academia, industry and laboratories and as a textbook for graduate level environmental health courses.
Evolution's Arrow argues that evolution is directional and progressive, and that this has major consequences for humanity. Without resort to teleology, the book demonstrates that evolution moves in the direction of producing cooperative organisations of greater scale and evolvability - evolution has organised molecular processes into cells, cells into organisms, and organisms into societies. The book founds this position on a new theory of the evolution of cooperation. It shows that self-interest at the level of the genes does not prevent cooperation from increasing as evolution unfolds. Evolution progresses by discovering ways to build cooperative organisations out of self-interested individuals. The book also shows that evolution itself has evolved. Evolution has progressively improved the ability of evolutionary mechanisms to discover effective adaptations. And it has produced new and better mechanisms. Evolution's Arrow uses this understanding of the direction of evolution to identify the next great steps in the evolution of life on earth - the steps that humanity must take if we are to continue to be successful in evolutionary terms. A key step for humanity is to increase the scale and evolvability of our societies, eventually forming a unified and cooperative society on the scale of the planet. We must also transform ourselves psychologically to become self-evolving organisms - organisms that are able to escape their biological and cultural past by adapting in whatever directions are necessary to achieve future evolutionary success.
Charles Darwin has been at the center of white-hot public debate for more than a century. In Living With Darwin, Philip Kitcher stokes the flames swirling around Darwin's theory, sifting through the scientific evidence for evolution, Creation Science, and Intelligent Design, and revealing why evolution has been the object of such vehement attack. Kitcher first provides valuable perspective on the present controversy, describing the many puzzles that blocked evolution's acceptance in the early years, and explaining how scientific research eventually found the answers to these conundrums. Interestingly, Kitcher shows that many of these early questions have been resurrected in recent years by proponents of Intelligent Design. In fact, Darwin himself considered the issue of intelligent design, and amassed a mountain of evidence that effectively refuted the idea. Kitcher argues that the problem with Intelligent Design isn't that it's "not science," as many critics say, but that it's "dead science," raising questions long resolved by scientists. But Kitcher points out that it is also important to recognize the cost of Darwin's success--the price of "life with Darwin." Darwinism has a profound effect on our understanding of our place in the universe, on our religious beliefs and aspirations. It is in truth the focal point of a larger clash between religious faith and modern science. Unless we can resolve this larger issue, the war over evolution will go on.
The book begins with familiar designs found all around and inside us (such as the ‘trees’ of river basins, human lungs, blood and city traffic). It then shows how all flow systems are driven by power from natural engines everywhere, and how they are endlessly shaped because of freedom. Finally, Professor Bejan explains how people, like everything else that moves on earth, are driven by power derived from our “engines” that consume fuel and food, and that our movement dissipates the power completely and changes constantly for greater access, economies of scale, efficiency, innovation and life. Written for wide audiences of all ages, including readers interested in science, patterns in nature, similarity and non-uniformity, history and the future, and those just interested in having fun with ideas, the book shows how many “design change” concepts acquire a solid scientific footing and how they exist with the evolution of nature, society, technology and science.
Goldsmith provides a historical review of biological aging theories including underlying evolution and genetics issues and describes exciting recent discoveries and new theories that are causing renewed interest in aging-by-design.
