Dorion Sagan
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262015394
- eISBN:
- 9780262312462
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262015394.003.0022
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter discusses the relationship of purposeful choice-making behavior to the directional bias of naturally occurring complex systems ruled by thermodynamics. It argues that the sensitivities ...
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This chapter discusses the relationship of purposeful choice-making behavior to the directional bias of naturally occurring complex systems ruled by thermodynamics. It argues that the sensitivities and responses of consciousness in humans and others emerge from naturally complex energy-driven systems. It illustrates that the purpose of life and other naturally organized complex systems is integrally linked to time’s arrow as defined by the second law of thermodynamics and energy’s spread. This chapter hypothesizes that consciousness is an outgrowth or variation of the naturally complex behavior of self-maintaining thermodynamic systems.Less
This chapter discusses the relationship of purposeful choice-making behavior to the directional bias of naturally occurring complex systems ruled by thermodynamics. It argues that the sensitivities and responses of consciousness in humans and others emerge from naturally complex energy-driven systems. It illustrates that the purpose of life and other naturally organized complex systems is integrally linked to time’s arrow as defined by the second law of thermodynamics and energy’s spread. This chapter hypothesizes that consciousness is an outgrowth or variation of the naturally complex behavior of self-maintaining thermodynamic systems.
