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Exobiology and Complexity

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Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science

Definition of the Subject

Recent research, guided by theoretical searches for unificationas much as by compilation of huge new databases, suggests that complexsystems throughout Nature are localized, temporary islands of orderedstructures within vastly larger, disordered environments beyond thosesystems. All such complex systems – including, for example,stars, life, and society – can be shown to obeyquantitatively the principles of non‐equilibrium thermodynamics,and all can be modeled in a common, integral manner by analyzingthe energy passing through those systems. The concept of energy flow does seem to be as universal a process as anything yet found inNature for the origin, maintenance, and evolution of ordered, complexsystems. The optimization of such energy flows acts as an agent ofevolution broadly considered, thereby affecting, and to some extentunifying, all of physical, biological, and cultural evolution.

More specifically, non‐equilibrium thermodynamics,especially the energy...

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Abbreviations

Complexity:

A state of intricacy, complication, variety,or involvement, as in the interconnected parts ofa system – a quality of having many interacting,different components.

Cosmic evolution:

A grand synthesis of the many varied changesin the assembly and composition of radiation, matter, and lifethroughout the history of the Universe.

Cosmology:

Thestudy of the structure, evolution, and destiny of theUniverse.

Energy:

Theability to do work or to cause change.

Energy rate density:

The amount of energy flowing through a systemper unit time per unit mass.

Evolution:

Anyprocess of growth and change with time, including an accumulation ofhistorical information; in its broadest sense, both developmental andgenerational change.

Exobiology:

Thestudy of the origin, evolution, and distribution of past and presentlife in the Universe; also known as astrobiology orbioastronomy.

Thermodynamics:

The study of the macroscopic changes in the energyof a system, for which temperature is a centralproperty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wright Center, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA

    Eric J. Chaisson

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  1. Eric J. Chaisson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. RAMTECH LIMITED, 122 Escalle Lane, Larkspur, CA, 94939, USA

    Robert A. Meyers Ph. D. (Editor-in-Chief) (Editor-in-Chief)

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Chaisson, E.J. (2009). Exobiology and Complexity. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30440-3_194

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