Dynamic Origin of Evolution and Social Transformation

TL;DR

This paper presents a universal, mathematically rigorous theory of evolution based on complexity dynamics, explaining the step-wise, punctuated nature of change in physical and social systems and emphasizing the need for a complexity revolution.

Contribution

It introduces a universal dynamic complexity framework that unifies the origin of change, evolution, and social transformation with an exact mathematical description.

Findings

Evolution involves a universal complexity conservation and transformation.

Social and economic systems exhibit punctuated, step-wise evolutionary behavior.

A necessity for a complexity revolution to prevent societal degradation.

Abstract

We analyse the unreduced, nonperturbative dynamics of an arbitrary many-body interaction process with the help of the generalised effective potential method and reveal the well-specified universal origin of change (emergence), time and evolution in an a priori conservative, time-independent system. It appears together with the universal dynamic complexity definition, where this unified complexity conservation and transformation constitutes the essence of evolution. We then consider the detailed structure of this universal evolutionary process showing its step-wise, "punctuated" character, now provided with the exact mathematical description. Comparing the expected features of a revolutionary complexity transition near a step-like complexity upgrade with the currently observed behaviour of world's social and economic systems, we prove the necessity of complexity revolution towards the superior civilisation level of well-defined nature, the only alternative being an equally dramatic and irreversible degradation, irrespective of efforts applied to stop the crisis at the current totally saturated complexity level.