Theory of process and the study of analogy.

Paradigms for trans-disciplinary study: a breakthrough

With the formulation by Arthur M. Young of his theory of process (TOP) a breakthrough has been reached in our understanding of how to apply analogy to natural process.

Arthur has formulated a seven-stage reflexive process that occurs on four levels of reality. See www.arthuryoung.com

Briefly, the levels remind me of the old Kabbalistic Four Worlds, BUT, Arthur has formulated four levels in a scientific manner, thus (very, very briefly in my paraphrase and interpretation):

First level: potential and signal level. Relatively undifferentiated stage 1 and fully developed stage 7 occur on this level. Stage 7 is a coordinating, synthetic, embracing, level. "Archetypical". An impuls or signal works on a unit of matter (e.g, cell) or cosmologically awakens a center to manifest life. In photosynthesis, there is the light-quantum or photon that acts as a trigger for a process of condensation (formation of sugars/starch, fourth level, fourth stage, fifth substage (polymers)). Causa finalis of Aristoteles. Stage 7, in my interpretation, can emanate signals (e.g., hormones or other substances/signals) that feedback to stage 1 or trigger a new process. To be researched in depth.

Second level: Here polarisation occurs, resulting in a kind of binding. In order for matter to develop, it must be differentiated, i.e. differences in character, properties, etc. must become manifest. This can only be done by and through a polarisation/separation/charge manifestation process, often involving electrons and protons (chemically speaking). Most interestingly, on this level associations (bindings, ionic and value-driven) occur (second stage) and networks (sixth stage, binding in complex structures) as evidenced in the formation of cell-clusters, islands (all second stage), etc., in embryogenesis, bone-formation, thought-development, neural network (sixth stage) and many other processes. It is also the level where movement occurs.

In photosynthesis, there is electron-transport and the generation of a proton-motive force, the result of the polarization of a membrane and resulting transport of protons. Causa efficiens (Aristoteles). In mythology: the separation of the firmaments.

Third level: Here the establishment of a centre occurs (third stage of Young).

It entails also the organization of matter. Energy plays an important role here as a cofactor in organization. The third stage is a formative stage par excellence. The blueprint for structures is being unfolded here, to continue later to the combined (molecular) fourth stage, on the fourth level: the combination and control stage. The third level contains the fifth stage: growth, organization, chain-formation, throwing off centers (seeds) that is exemplified by plants (but there are many examples of organization for all kinds of beings). In photosynthesis there is ATP formation (synthesis), storage of energy in ATP-bonds, probably occuring on this level. Causa formalis (Aristoteles).

For human consciousness: ego formation as paradigmatic for the third stage, while in the fifth stage one will have to transcend personal ego (more about that in a separate article) - the personality will become transformed into individuality (Self-realization, in stages).

Fourth level: Here we find combinations (of combinations) as exemplified by organs (built of tissues) and molecules. From simple molecules such as CO2, H2O all the way up to complex molecules as polymers (5th substage), proteins (6th substage) and DNA/RNA (7th substage) according to Arthur Young. On this level the turning point is reached: matter finds its grossest, visible, expression in molecules and the upward arc will bring plants, animals and humans as highly organized beings in the evolutionary process. Photosynthesis: carbon fixation where starch/sugar is synthesized (a big energy/food reservoir).

Causa materialis (Aristoteles).

Note that photosynthesis and photorespiration share a basic underlying 'mechanism'. This sharing of mechanism (means) may turn out to be elucidative for cooperation between the downward arc and upward phase of the seven stage arc.

There is much more to this paradigm, such as constraining factors relating to space and time, but I refer you to Arthur M. Young's book "The Reflexive Universe".

Also, I posit that material structure and consciousness/energy work tightly together (as indeed is visible on all the four levels), but I will post some separate examples elucidating some aspects of the model later on in this group and/or the Arthur Young e-group (Yahoo).

Martin Euser

www.euser.net

martin@euser.fol.nl