The world beyond physics: how big is it?
Sauro Succi
TL;DR
This paper explores whether the complexity of biological systems exceeds the predictive capacity of physics, suggesting that the 'World Beyond Physics' may be smaller than expected based on recent advances in statistical mechanics.
Contribution
It challenges the idea of an extensive 'World Beyond Physics' by arguing that modern statistical mechanics constrains its size and complexity.
Findings
The WBP may be smaller than previously thought
Modern statistical mechanics limits the complexity of biological systems
Theoretical physics could encompass more biological phenomena
Abstract
We discuss the possibility that the complexity of biological systems may lie beyond the predictive capabilities of theoretical physics: in Stuart Kauffman's words, there is a World Beyond Physics (WBP). It is argued that, in view of modern developments of statistical mechanics, the WBP is smaller than one might anticipate from the standpoint of fundamental physical theories.
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