[1]Principia Cybernetica Web

                                      Metaphysics

   Philosophies traditionally start with a metaphysics: a theory of the essence of
   things, of the fundamental principles that organize the universe. Metaphysics is
   supposed to answer the question "What is the nature of reality?" (see
   [2]Metaphysics, introduction). But we cannot answer this question without first
   understanding what is the [3]meaning of metaphysics, if any, and in what respect
   metaphysics differs from science, which tries to answer similar questions but
   through more concrete methods. Metaphysics is traditionally subdivided in
   [4]ontology, the theory of being in itself, and cosmology, the theory describing
   the origin and structure of the universe.

   In a traditional [5]systems philosophy "organization" might be seen as the
   fundamental principle of being, rather than God, matter, or the laws of nature.
   However it still begs the question where this organization comes from. In our
   evolutionary-systemic philosophy, on the other hand, the essence is the process
   through which this organization is created. Therefore, our ontology starts from
   elementary [6]actions, rather than from static objects, particles, energy or
   ideas. These actions are the primitive elements, the building blocks of our
   vision of reality, and therefore remain undefined. Actions are in not general not
   deterministic but involve an element of [7]freedom. A sequence of actions
   constitutes a process. Our ontology is thus related to the [8]process metaphysics
   of Whitehead and Teilhard de Chardin. Its historical origin can be traced back
   even further to the development [9]from Kant to Schopenhauer.

   Relatively stable "systems" are constructed by such processes through the
   mechanism of variation and selection. This leads to the spontaneous [10]emergence
   of more complex organizations during evolution: from space-time and elementary
   particles, to atoms, molecules, crystals, DNA, cells, plants, animals, humans,
   and human society and culture (see [11]the history of evolution). This
   developmental sequence provides us with a basis for our cosmology. Because of
   this self-organization of the universe, there is no need to posit a personal
   [12]God, distinct from the universe, as an explanation for the observed
   complexity.

   Events of emergence are the "quanta" of evolution. They lead to the creation of
   new systems with new identities, obeying different laws and possessing different
   properties. In such systems, the behaviour of the whole depends on the behaviour
   of the parts (a "reductionistic" view), but the behaviour of the parts is at the
   same time constrained or directed by the behaviour of the whole (a "holistic"
   view). (see [13]downward causation)

   A fundamental type of emergence is the "[14]meta-system transition" , which
   results in a higher level of control while increasing the overall [15]freedom and
   adaptivity of the system. Examples of [16]metasystem transitions are the
   emergence of [17]multicellular organisms, the emergence of the capacity of
   organisms to learn, and the emergence of human intelligence.

   See further: Turchin's paper on [18]Cybernetic Metaphysics.
     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [19]Copyright© 1997 Principia Cybernetica - [20]Referencing this page

   Author
   F. [21]Heylighen, C. [22]Joslyn, V. [23]Turchin,

   Date
   Sep 10, 1997 (modified)
   Aug 1993 (created)

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                           [25]Metasystem Transition Theory

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     ____________________________________________________________________________

   [28]Metaphysics, introduction

   [29]The meaning of metaphysics

   [30]From Kant to Schopenhauer

   [31]Knowledge and will

   [32]Action

   [33]Distinction

   [34]Basic Concepts of Science

   [35]Determinism vs. Freedom

   [36]God
   ____________________________________________________________________________

                                    [37]Discussion
     ____________________________________________________________________________

     * [38]metaphysical books, Comment by Skip Whitson
     * [39]No, no, no! You've got it all garbled. , Correction by Aaron Agassi

                                  [40]Add comment...

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References

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[USEMAP]
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   5. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SERVER.html
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   7. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/RECENT.html
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   9. http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/SEARCH.html