Hi Angus and Platt,
Sorry I am late to respond.
Here is my personal input on the organizing forces of each level. IMO, each
level has a self-sustaining static aspect which forms lasting patterns as
well as a dynamic aspect (little "d" dynamic) that gives the level a sense of
momentum and creativity. This is what leads to organization.
Inorganic:
What needs explaining in this level is how order/organization emerges out of
entropy (which is disorder). To oversimplify, the organizing forces are the
forces of nature themselves. The organization of atoms, molecules and their
nuclei is created by the exchange of virtual particle (gluons and photons).
Electrons and quarks basically exchange particles in such a way that they get
bound together according to certain rules (based upon their fundamental
properties). In other words, matter is formed and organized from the stable
value patterns of virtual particle exchange. These forces are known as
electromagnetism and the strong nuclear force.
The weakest of all forces is gravity (so weak that two particles next to each
other have less gravitional attraction than the electromagnetic force exerts
between two particle several light years away from each other.) However,
gravity has the honor of being infinite in range, increasing with proximity
and, unlike electromagnetism, being a common value. Therefore, gravity --
unlike electromagnetism, which tends to cancel itself out -- is self
amplifying. Particles attract faintly, but the attraction brings them closer,
which increases the attraction which....... Net result is that gravity
organizes the universe into galaxies, stars and planets that lead to the
creation of heavier elements and ....the possibility for life....
Biological:
The organizing force of this level is the self amplifying feedback loop
called evolution. Chemical pools have the ability to spontaneously form
catalytic loops, where the various chemicals catalyze or produce each other.
Theory has it that once these loops achieved static quality patterns that
self-produce themselves, that they would grow and even divide or replicate
(read Stuart Kaufman). So, similar to the inorganic, the essential biol.
organization is for components to form stable self sustaining patterns of
interaction (POV's).
The dynamic organizing aspect of this level, as Pirsig touts, is evolution.
This is a viscious feedback loop where:
1) Patterns replicate with heredity and minor variation
2) The patterns are selected based upon their quality
3) Higher quality patterns outlast and out-reproduce lower quality
4) But this only manages to change the population and hence the environment,
as each new individual competes with the new and improved population (and
with continuously improving branched-off populations)
5) As a result, new patterns of fitness and quality can be continuously
created with little or no real net gain in fitness
6) Life evolves and dynamically explores new quality organization in an
eternal loop that never ends
Social:
I believe the organizing force -- again a process of self-sustaining
interactions forming stable patterns of value -- is cooperation. People
working together with rules and leaders to organize together for the mutual
gain of all.
The dynamic force is competition between individuals and groups. This
creates leaders and personal drive (fame and fortune), and forces the
organizations to compete with each other. Longer term, in a process similar
to natural selection, organizations progress and become better and better to
avoid extinction.
Intellectual:
The scientific method is the breakthrough organizing factor that enabled this
level to emerge from a past of social stories. The method basically
encourages criticality. Scientists are expected to test their theories in
objective, reproducible fashion. Alternative theories are always encouraged
with consistent standards of quality (explainability, consistency,
testability, simplicity, brilliance, objectivity, breadth, etc) used to
continuously trade up to better and better knowledge. Better theories lead
to more knowledge, which leads to more questions,and better abilities to test
and critique other theories, which leads to more ideas, which...(another
dynamic and creative process). In summary, the scientific method is one
where scientists freely interact and challenge theories and each other to
continuously organize better knowledge.
Those are my thoughts, and though the exact terms I chose differed from
Platt's, I think we really were pretty close in general intent.
Feedback is always welcome.
Rog
PLATT:
s my vote for the organizing forces of the four levels:
Inorganic: Energy & Entropy
Biological: Sex & Survival
Social: Fame & Fortune
Intellectual: Measurement & Number
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