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Generative replication and the evolution of complexity

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  • Hodgson, Geoffrey M.
  • Knudsen, Thorbjørn

Abstract

This paper identifies generative replication as a form of replication which has the potential to enhance complexity in social and biological evolution, including the wondrous complexity in the biological world, and complex social institutions such as human language and business corporations. We draw inspiration from the literature on self-reproducing automata to clarify the notion of information transfer in replication processes. To enhance complexity, developmental instructions must be part of the information that is transmitted in replication. In addition to the established triple conditions of causality, similarity and information transfer, a generative replicator involves a conditional generative mechanism that can use signals from an environment and create developmental instructions. We develop a simple model, a one-dimensional linear automaton that is consistent with our four proposed conditions for a generative replicator. We show that evolution within this model will indeed approach maximal complexity, but only if our four proposed conditions are not violated.

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  • Hodgson, Geoffrey M. & Knudsen, Thorbjørn, 2010. "Generative replication and the evolution of complexity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 12-24, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:75:y:2010:i:1:p:12-24
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    Cited by:

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    5. Harper, David A. & Endres, Anthony M., 2012. "The anatomy of emergence, with a focus upon capital formation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 82(2), pages 352-367.
    6. Rosser, J. Barkley, 2012. "Emergence and complexity in Austrian economics," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 81(1), pages 122-128.
    7. Sangyoon Yi & Thorbjørn Knudsen & Markus C. Becker, 2016. "Inertia in Routines: A Hidden Source of Organizational Variation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(3), pages 782-800, June.
    8. Andersson, Claes, 2011. "Splitting the replicator: Generalized Darwinism and the place of culture in nature," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 80(3), pages 657-669.
    9. Carol Hsu & Jae-Nam Lee & Yulin Fang & Detmar W. Straub & Ning Su & Hyun-Sun Ryu, 2022. "The Role of Vendor Legitimacy in IT Outsourcing Performance: Theory and Evidence," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(1), pages 337-361, March.

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