Exploring closure mechanisms causing the operator hierarchy

Dr. dr. Gerard Jagers op AkkerhuisWageningen University

ECCO lecture 13 May 2011, Brussels

The lecture discusses how step by step the organization of matter has climbed the ‘ladder’ from

fundamental particles to animals

The sequence is explained in detail in pp. 39-57 of my thesis:

http://repository.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/2066/82605/1/82605

Overview:

• Introduction to hierarchy in nature• Natural hierarchy is not ‘linear’• Three dimensions for hierarchy

• A step by step analysis of the emergence of particle complexity

• From fundamental particles to the cell

The well-known “general system hierarchy” is linear

Three rankings of complexity are mixed

Organelles

Organs

Tissues

Organ systems

Complex molecules

Population

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Community

Molecules

Atoms

Cells

Organisms

Fundamental particles

Cells with nucleus

Multicellulars

?

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Community

Organ systems

Population

(Organisms)

Organelles

Organs

Tissues

Complex molecules

Molecules

Atoms

Cells

Fundamental particles

But its logic is not strict all the way up

•1. internal differentiation

•2. Interactions (abstract “levels”)

•3. Particles and organisms of different complexity levelsP

art

ofC

ontr

ibut

ing

to

How?

Deliberate application of the three types of complexity ranking (used as dimensions for hierarchy)

Can things be organized more naturally?

Dimension 2: internal differentiation

Dimension 1:

operators

(particles/organisms)

Dimension 3: interaction systems

Sometimes, interactions create the first-next possible, new type of closure.Example: multicellularity

Sometimes, internal differentiation creates the first-next possible, new type of closure.Example: endosymbiont cells

The environment offers pressures and scaffolds

An operator itself offers the context

An operator can gain complexity in its interior

An operator can create systems of interacting operators

This can be repeated..

Or, … an operator can create the next operator….

next closure

And so forth…next operator

The following offers a step by step analysis of the emergence-ladder

of complex ‘particles’ (from quarks to animals)

1st closure dimension: THE INTERFACE

superstrings

The formation of the superstrings can be regarded as the first major transition….

emergent cyclic property of superstrings:

production-absorption cycle of small stringsinterior

exterior

interface: limits the system, creates/mediates interior and exterior

Major Transition:

A closure or combination of closures that creates a system showing a new (unprecedented) closure dimension

2nd closure dimension: THE HYPERCYCLErecurring 1st closure dimension: THE INTERFACE

the quark-gluon plasmaquark confinement due to lower temperature/density

The creation of the quark-gluon plasma can be regarded as the second major transition…..

3rd closure dimension: THE MULTI-STAGE

the quark-gluon hypercycle

and the quark confinement

produce the hadron

which can be regarded as the third major transition….

multi-stage: unifies units with the same closure dimension by means of interface interactions

emergent cyclic property of hadrons:

production-absorption cycle of pions (O-O-O) -> (O-O)

recurring closure dimension: THE HYPERCYCLErecurring closure dimension: THE INTERFACE

the atom nucleusthe electron shell

two hadron-pion cycles make a second order cycle: a hypercycle

4th closure dimension: hypercycle mediating interface

the nucleus captures an electron shell

hereby creating the atom

which can be regarded as the 4th major transition….

interface mediates nucleus-world interactions

substrate

product

recurring closure dimension: THE MULTI-STAGErecurring closure dimension: THE HYPERCYCLErecurring closure dimension: THE INTERFACE

the autocatalytic setthe cell membranethe multi-atomthe atom

atoms show next closure via interface interactions

emergent cyclic property of multi-atoms:

catalytic cycle

two catalytic cycles make a second order cycle: a hypercycle

5th closure dimension: structural copying of information

The catalytic hypercycle and membrane

create the cell

which can be regarded as the 5th major transition….

Elaboration

The reasoning can be continued for higher level operators

Thank you for your attention.

Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis

(This file was originally made for the EVO-DEVO conference in Paris 2008)