Description
The concepts of evolution and complexity theory have become part of the intellectual ether permeating the life sciences, the social and behavioral sciences, and, more recently, management science and economics. In this book, John E. Mayfield elegantly synthesizes core concepts from multiple disciplines to offer a new approach to understanding how evolution works and how complex organisms, structures, organizations, and social orders can and do arise based on information theory and computational science. Intended for the intellectually adventuresome, this book challenges and rewards readers with a nuanced understanding of evolution and complexity that offers consistent, durable, and coherent explanations for major aspects of our life experiences. Numerous examples throughout the book illustrate evolution and complexity formation in action and highlight the core function of computation lying at the work's heart.
A major new title in the tradition of Dawkins, Dennett, and Hofstadter providing deep and lucid insight into the computational underpinnings of evolution and complexity.
About the Author
John E. Mayfield is professor emeritus of genetics, development, and cell biology at Iowa State University. He has also taught at the California Institute of Technology, Carnegie-Mellon University, and Harvard University Biological Laboratories. His research focuses on the development of a generalized theory of evolution that relates naturally and easily to fundamental mathematical and physical principles.
Reviews
The Engine of Complexity is a well-written and erudite book of great importance. It promises to be the best single introduction to the informational concept of evolution, all while being clear and easy to read. -- Geoffrey M. Hodgson, University of Hertfordshire Wide ranging, ambitious, and clearly written, John E. Mayfield's The Engine of Complexity shows how information flowing down the ages in genes, thoughts, and words, guided only by the invisible hand of selection, has built everything from beetles and human brains to steam engines, space shuttles, and iPads. It will open your eyes to a different way of seeing the world. -- Mark Pagel, University of Reading, author of Wired for Culture: Origins of the Human Social Mind John E. Mayfield succeeds beautifully in making computational and biological concepts understandable to the non-expert reader. He suggests we are about to see a sea-change in our thinking with respect to how we view evolution in our society; he may be right, and his book is good reading to ready yourself for this potential change. -- Alan G. Atherly, Iowa State University An extraordinarily ambitious and broad volume. -- Chris Adami Quarterly Review of Biology
Book Information
ISBN 9780231163040
Author John Mayfield
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
A major new title in the tradition of Dawkins, Dennett, and Hofstadter providing deep and lucid insight into the computational underpinnings of evolution and complexity.
About the Author
John E. Mayfield is professor emeritus of genetics, development, and cell biology at Iowa State University. He has also taught at the California Institute of Technology, Carnegie-Mellon University, and Harvard University Biological Laboratories. His research focuses on the development of a generalized theory of evolution that relates naturally and easily to fundamental mathematical and physical principles.
Reviews
The Engine of Complexity is a well-written and erudite book of great importance. It promises to be the best single introduction to the informational concept of evolution, all while being clear and easy to read. -- Geoffrey M. Hodgson, University of Hertfordshire Wide ranging, ambitious, and clearly written, John E. Mayfield's The Engine of Complexity shows how information flowing down the ages in genes, thoughts, and words, guided only by the invisible hand of selection, has built everything from beetles and human brains to steam engines, space shuttles, and iPads. It will open your eyes to a different way of seeing the world. -- Mark Pagel, University of Reading, author of Wired for Culture: Origins of the Human Social Mind John E. Mayfield succeeds beautifully in making computational and biological concepts understandable to the non-expert reader. He suggests we are about to see a sea-change in our thinking with respect to how we view evolution in our society; he may be right, and his book is good reading to ready yourself for this potential change. -- Alan G. Atherly, Iowa State University An extraordinarily ambitious and broad volume. -- Chris Adami Quarterly Review of Biology
Book Information
ISBN 9780231163040
Author John Mayfield
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press
