Universal Dynamics, a Unified Theory of Complex Systems. Emergence, Life and Death

TL;DR

This paper introduces a universal framework for complex systems based on network relations and mechanisms, unifying physical and biological processes through local interactions and emergence, supported by multiscale analysis.

Contribution

It proposes a novel, axiomatic network-based model that unifies physical laws and biological life processes within a single theoretical framework.

Findings

Models basic life processes as enzymatic computation

Accommodates gauge theories of physics within the framework

Explains emergence through multiscale analysis and cooperation

Abstract

A universal framework is proposed, where all laws are regularities of relations between things or agents. Parts of the world at one or all times are modeled as networks called SYSTEMS with a minimum of axiomatic properties. A notion of locality is introduced by declaring some relations direct (or links). Dynamics is composed of "atomic" constituents called mechanisms. They are conditional actions of basic local structural transformations (``enzymes''): indirect relations become direct (friend of friend becomes friend), links are removed, objects copied. This defines a kind of universal chemistry. I show how to model basic life processes in a self contained fashion as a kind of enzymatic computation. The framework also accommodates the gauge theories of fundamental physics. Emergence creates new functionality by cooperation - nonlocal phenomena arise out of local interactions. I explain how this can be understood in a reductionist way by multiscale analysis (e.g. renormalization group).