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Ontic openness: An absolute necessity for all developmental processes

Author

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  • Nielsen, Søren Nors
  • Ulanowicz, Robert E.

Abstract

The physicist Walter M. Elsasser is mostly known for his work on the Earth's magnetism. Less attention has been paid to his efforts toward identifying what are the real differences between physical and biological systems. One essential distinction he recognized was that physical systems are largely homogenous while biological systems always revealed what he called ordered heterogeneity. Calculation of the possible configurations of such heterogeneous systems almost always leads to combinatorial explosions and to what Elsasser referred to as immense numbers. Such calculations have the consequence that any such systems are necessarily unique – mathematically speaking they represent one-sets.

Suggested Citation

  • Nielsen, Søren Nors & Ulanowicz, Robert E., 2011. "Ontic openness: An absolute necessity for all developmental processes," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(16), pages 2908-2912.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:222:y:2011:i:16:p:2908-2912
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.05.012
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    Cited by:

    1. Gubiani, Éder A. & Angelini, Ronaldo & Vieira, Ludgero C.G. & Gomes, Luiz C. & Agostinho, Angelo A., 2011. "Trophic models in Neotropical reservoirs: Testing hypotheses on the relationship between aging and maturity," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(23), pages 3838-3848.
    2. Jørgensen, Sven E. & Nielsen, Søren Nors & Fath, Brian D., 2016. "Recent progress in systems ecology," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 319(C), pages 112-118.
    3. Nielsen, Søren Nors, 2016. "Second order cybernetics and semiotics in ecological systems—Where complexity really begins," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 319(C), pages 119-129.

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