Evolution, Order and Complexity / Edition 1

by Kenneth Boulding, Elias Khalil

Overview

Evolution, Order and Complexity reflects topical interest in the relationship between the social and natural worlds. It represents the cutting edge of current thinking which challenges the natural/social dichotomy thesis by showing how the application of ideas which derive from biology can be applied and offer insight into the social realm. This is done by introducing the general system theory to the methodological debate on the relation of human and natural sciences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138866102
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/08/2015
Series:	Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kenneth Boulding, Elias Khalil

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors ix

Preface xi

Introduction xiii

1 Social theory and naturalism: An introduction Elias L. Khalil 1

2 Interfacing complexity at a boundary between the natural and social sciences Karl H. Pribram 40

3 The autonomy of social reality: On the contribution of systems theory to the theory of society Jean-Pierre Dupuy 61

4 Ultra-Darwinian explanation and the biology of social systems Niles Eldredge 89

5 The complexity of social and mental structures in nonhuman mammals Hubert Hendrichs 104

6 On the social nature of autopoietic systems Milan Zeleny 122

7 Organization, function, and creativity in biological and social systems Vilmos Csányi 146

8 Human society as an emerging global superorganism: A biological perspective Gregory B. Stock John H. Campbell 181

9 Neurological and social bases of dominance in human society Henri Laborit 199

10 The propensities of evolving systems Robert E. Utanowicz 217

11 Synergetics as a bridge between the natural and social sciences Hermann Haken 234

12 The problem of observables in models of biological organizations Howard H. Pattee 249

Index 265