The basic idea of Kauffman's book is that the complexity we see in nature (including life or technology) is contingent to math, i.e. can be explained and predicted by mathematical reasoning. The same is true of statistical thermodynamics and evolution. He states that Darwin's evolutionary theory explains only how complex life emerged from simple life, but it does not explain how simple life emerged from matter. There is probably a larger jump in complexity from matter to the first simple cell, than from that simple cell to a modern human being. Darwin does not explain that first jump. Kauffman doesn't either even though he is convincing in showing that life must have started through autocatalytic sets of molecules. He points out that these sets are self-organizing, stable and can vary as a reflex to external stimuli. What he mentions, but does not explain, is that autocatalytic sets can (or must) self-reproduce, a necessary step before evolution sets in. On page 66 of the paperback edition he states that "such breaking in two happens spontaneously as such [auto-catalytic] sets increase in volume", but, maddeningly, he does not explain how or why. One has to wonder: if life is such a necessary result of matter (therefore the title "at home in the universe") why then has it proven so difficult to synthesize anything approaching life in the laboratory? He doesn't say.
The book is full of incredibly interesting ideas. He explains ontogeny (the transformation of a fertilized egg to a highly complex and differentiated organism) using a simple model of on/off enzymes which allows him to build a Boolean network in which different cell types correspond to different "attractors", which are intrinsic in such a network. He shows that the same relationship that holds between number of attractors and size of a network, also holds between number of cell types and size of DNA of a wide range of organisms. Very impressive. He goes on to discuss things like fitness landscapes and genetic algorithms, the edge between boring order and supracritical instability where the really interesting stuff happens, the co-evolution of coupled systems, the structure of efficient companies or countries, and more.
The only criticism I have is about his poetical language that does indeed resemble fluff; anyone who even partly understands his ideas would be excited enough without all that sauce. Also I missed a deeper development, the book does point into one interesting direction and then jumps into another matter, leaving one hungering for more. But maybe this is the author's intent.
This is an excellent book even though it resembles more a symphony of ideas than a theorem. Very highly recommended: a mind opener.
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Top reviews from other countries
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Sieglinde BeyerReviewed in Germany on February 15, 2023
At Home in the Universe: The Search for the Laws of Self-Organization and Complexity
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Rebeca CortésReviewed in Mexico on April 17, 2018
Great book but problema wirh packing
I bought this book because I had it pdf but I really like it, unfortunately the package an ld part of the cover was sliced as if someone tried to open it with a knife. This is the first time it happens to me, but I think seller should consider this, it beats me if the damage was made during packing or through delivery service.Great book but problema wirh packingRebeca Cortés
Reviewed in Mexico on April 17, 2018
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- Steven UnwinReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2011
Breathtaking glimpse of new scientific thinking
