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Molecular autonomous agents.

Stuart Kauffman1

  • 1The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA.

Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences
|June 21, 2003
PubMed
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This study defines an autonomous agent as a physical system capable of self-reproduction and performing thermodynamic work. It explores the unusual consequences of this definition for understanding agent behavior and systems.

Area of Science:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Systems Biology
  • Artificial Intelligence

Background:

  • Defining autonomous agents is crucial for understanding life-like behaviors.
  • Existing definitions often lack a basis in physical principles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a novel definition for autonomous agents grounded in thermodynamics.
  • To explore the implications of this definition for physical systems.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of physical systems.
  • Development of a hypothetical chemical example.
  • Exploration of theoretical implications.

Main Results:

  • A tentative definition of an autonomous agent is proposed: a system capable of self-reproduction and performing thermodynamic work.

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  • A hypothetical chemical system is presented as an example.
  • The definition leads to non-intuitive implications for agent behavior.

    • Conclusions:

    • The proposed definition offers a new perspective on autonomous agents from a thermodynamic standpoint.
    • Further research is needed to fully explore the implications of this definition.
    • This framework may aid in the study of artificial and biological systems.