Degrees Of Freedom: Living In Dynamic Boundaries

Degrees Of Freedom: Living In Dynamic Boundaries
Author :
Publisher : World Scientific
Total Pages : 330
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781783263240
ISBN-13 : 1783263245
Rating : 4/5 (245 Downloads)

Book Synopsis Degrees Of Freedom: Living In Dynamic Boundaries by : Alan D M Rayner

Download or read book Degrees Of Freedom: Living In Dynamic Boundaries written by Alan D M Rayner and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 1997-01-03 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing especially on insights emerging from studies of the cellular networks formed by fungi, this book describes the fundamental indeterminacy that enables life forms to thrive in and create inconstant circumstances. It explains how indeterminacy arises from counteraction between associative and dissociative processes at the reactive interfaces between living systems and their surroundings. It stresses the relevance of these processes to understanding the dynamic contexts within which living systems of all kinds — including human societies-explore for, use up, conserve and recycle sources of energy.By focusing on dynamic boundaries, the book counterbalances the discretist view that living systems are assembled entirely from building-block-like units — individuals and genes — that can be freely sifted, as opposed to channeled, by natural selection. It also shows how the versatility that enables life forms to proliferate in rich environments, whilst minimizing losses in restrictive environments, depends on capacities for error and co-operation within a fluid, non-hierarchical power structure. Understanding this point yields a more compassionate, less competitive and less self-centred outlook on life's successes and failures.


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