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Statistical Teleodynamics: Toward a Theory of Emergence
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Center for the Management of Systemic Risk, Columbia University , New York, New York 10027, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 11, 2017
Summary
A new mathematical theory, statistical teleodynamics, offers a framework for understanding emergence by unifying statistical mechanics, systems engineering, and biology. It models concepts like fairness and network organization, advancing beyond traditional reductionism.
Area of Science:
- Mathematical theory of emergence
- Interdisciplinary systems science
Background:
- Reductionism, a 20th-century approach, struggles to explain complex phenomena like consciousness.
- Emergence requires a parts-to-whole approach and consideration of teleology, which reductionism typically omits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce statistical teleodynamics, a novel mathematical framework for emergence.
- To unify disparate fields including statistical mechanics, systems engineering, and biology under a single conceptual formalism.
Main Methods:
- Developing a mathematical framework that integrates purpose-free entities with teleological systems.
- Utilizing entropy as a model for fairness (economics/philosophy) and robustness (systems engineering).
Main Results:
- Proving that a log-normal distribution represents the fairest income inequality at economic equilibrium.
- Predicting the emergence of exponential, scale-free, and Poisson network organizations.
Conclusions:
- Statistical teleodynamics generalizes statistical thermodynamics, offering a new perspective on emergence.
- This theory represents a step towards a comprehensive mathematical theory of emergence, applicable across diverse scientific domains.
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