Foundations and Methodology for an Evolutionary World View: A Review of the Principia Cybernetica Project

The Principia Cybernetica Project was created to develop an integrated philosophy or world view, based on the theories of evolution, self-organization, systems and cybernetics. Its conceptual network has been implemented as an extensive website. The present paper reviews the assumptions behind the project, focusing on its rationale, its philosophical presuppositions, and its concrete methodology for computer-supported collaborative development. Principia Cybernetica starts from a process ontology, where a sequence of elementary actions produces ever more complex forms of organization through the mechanism of variation and selection, and metasystem transition. Its epistemology is constructivist and evolutionary: models are constructed by subjects for their own purposes, but undergo selection by the environment. Its ethics takes fitness and the continuation of evolution as the basic value, and derives more concrete guidelines from this implicit purpose. Together, these postulates and their implications provide answers to a range of age-old philosophical questions.     

Complexity and Evolution: A Study of the Growth of Complexity in Organic and Cultural Evolution

In the present paper I develop a model of the evolutionary process associated to the widespread although controversial notion of a prevailing trend of increasing complexity over time. The model builds on a coupling of evolution to individual developmental programs and introduces an integrated view of evolution implying that human culture and science form a continuous extension of organic evolution. It is formed as a mathematical model that has made possible a quantitative estimation in relative terms of the growth of complexity. This estimation is accomplished by means of computer simulations the result of which indicates a strong acceleration of complexity all the way from the appearance of multicellular organisms up to modern man.     

浅谈动植物名称的翻译

由于世界动植物的多样性,人们对于动植物名称的了解往往不太确切,动植物“同名异物”和“同物异名”的情况给动植物名称的翻译带来了很多的困难,译者缺乏专业知识或严谨的工作态度都会导致误译。以拉丁语为中介进行动植物名称的翻译可以在很大程度上避免错误的产生。     

从自然概念的变迁看环境伦理与生态伦理的差异

在现代性的伦理话语中,表面上将自然与环境作为同一个概念来使用,而实际上暗含着根本性的转折:从自然向环境的重心转移,反映了人对自然态度的变化,并预示着人与自然之间关系恶化的趋向。由是观之,环境伦理不过就是现代社会伦理的延展,尚未改变保护自然的伦理次序:把原有的基本社会道德规范加以推广,把生态平衡作为一种重要的工具价值加以重视,以为就此达到了环境伦理的目的。与此不同,生态伦理处理人与自然之间的道德关系,最终会对人的社会现实生活产生影响,触及人的根本利益。     

Comparison of classifications using measures intermediate between metric dissimilarity and consensus similarity

Two fundamental approaches to the comparison of classifications (e g, partitions on the same finite set of objects) can be distinguished One approach is based upon measures of metric dissimilarity while the other is based upon measures of similarity, or consensus These approaches are not necessarily simple complements of each other Instead, each captures different, limited views of comparison of two classifications The properties of these measures are clarified by their relationships to Day's complexity models and to association measures of numerical taxonomy The two approaches to comparison are equated with the use of separation and minimum value sensitive measures, suggesting the potential application of an intermediate sensitive measure to the problem of comparison of classifications Such a measure is a linear combination of separation sensitive and minimum value sensitive components The application of these intermediate measures is contrasted with the two extremes The intermediate measure for the comparison of classifications is applied to a problem of character weighting arising in the analysis of Australian stream basinsWe thank Bill Day, Mike Austin, Peter Minchin and two anonymous referees for many helpful comments We also thank P Arabie for useful discussion of consensus methods and character weighting     

从毕达哥拉斯学派到现代分子生物学--关于物种概念、分类及系统进化的哲学回归

物种与进化的问题具体到生物学领域所采用的方法显然是一门具体的自然科学。但是从解决问题的思维方式来看应该是自然界的，即哲学的。古希腊先哲们对此有不同认识，亚里士多德提出著名的存在之链，毕达哥拉斯认为自然界事物的多样性只不过是几何结构及数的不同比例的差异，即所谓的“万物的本质是数”。对物种的认识及生物进化，生物分类学家、系统进化研究者所持观念与不同时期的哲学流派相联系，因此有本质论的、唯名论的以及生物学的、进化论的、系统学的物种概念。现代分子生物学极大的促进了物种分类学、系统学的发展，人们对物种概念及生物进化有了更深层次的认识，但是从哲学的角度看却又回归到了古希腊圣哲们的思想藩篱。     

华蘅芳《积较术》数学方法分析

在《积较术》中,基于独特的差分定义,华蘅芳构造了一个与Ｎｅｗｔｏｎ有限差分公式完全不同的差分体系,针对各种数表的使用,华蘅芳设计了一种”乘表相加“的计算方法。算理分析表明,这一算法与近代矩阵乘法一致。对《积较术》 中的数学思想与数学方法的分析,揭示了清末传统数学研究所的生长点及其在向近代数学转变过程的积极意义。     

Statistical properties of large published classifications

Large published classifications typically consist of sets (called taxa) hierarchically arranged according to taxonomic rank. A statistical survey of 23 such classification reveals the following distinctive properties. The pattern of mandatory and optional taxonomic ranks is similar to a Guttman scale. Mean taxon size (defined as the number of next-lower-rank taxa per higher-rank taxon) is a U-shaped function of mandatory rank, and averages about seven across ranks with no significant differences between classifications. The variability of taxon size is a decreasing function of mandatory rank. The generality of these properties across classifications suggests that they are determined by the psychology of the classification process. In contrast, there are significant differences between classifications in the variability of taxon size and in the prevalence of optional ranks, both of which are greater in biological than in nonbiological classifications. These differences may reflect the nature of the materials classified. This research was supported by a research grant from the UCLA Academic Senate and by computer time from the UCLA Office of Academic Computing.     

Kappa Coefficients for Circular Classifications

Circular classifications are classification scales with categories that exhibit a certain periodicity. Since linear scales have endpoints, the standard weighted kappas used for linear scales are not appropriate for analyzing agreement between two circular classifications. A family of kappa coefficients for circular classifications is defined. The kappas differ only in one parameter. It is studied how the circular kappas are related and if the values of the circular kappas depend on the number of categories. It turns out that the values of the circular kappas can be strictly ordered in precisely two ways. The orderings suggest that the circular kappas are measuring the same thing, but to a different extent. If one accepts the use of magnitude guidelines, it is recommended to use stricter criteria for circular kappas that tend to produce higher values.     

A Characterization of Majority Rule for Hierarchies

The majority rule has been a popular method for producing a consensus classification from several different classifications, when the classifications are all on the same set of objects and are structured as hierarchies. In this note, a new axiomatic characterization is proved for this consensus method on hierarchies.     

现代科学的复杂性审视--齐曼科学社会学思想的新发展

约翰·齐曼是一位科学家出身的科学社会学家。他认为现代科学正在从学院时代走向了后学院时代,因此其传统的学术规范即默顿规范随之也要作出相应的修正;科学进步也像生物进化,有自然选择但也有自组织能力;科学虽然并不具有绝对可靠性,但它仍然有理由值得我们去信赖。     

Beyond Politization of Technology and Sustainability: A Plea for Visioning

Most protagonists of sustainable development ignore modern insights in the nature of technology, which has led to an emphasis on technological solutions. The notable exception is transition management. However, both social construction of technology and transition management have been criticized as ignoring distributions of power in society, and for not offering guidance in the choice of the most sustainable technologies. The reviewer criticizes this approach: the issue is not to choose the right technologies, but to address the root causes of unsustainability in society. In addition to politization of transition management the reviewer argues that strong visions are necessary to lead the way. Technologies could help to develop those visions.     

Character and OTU stability in five taxonomic groups

The character and OTU stability of classifications based on UPGMA clustering and maximum parsimony (MP) trees were compared for 5 datasets (families of angiosperms, families of orthopteroid insects, species of the fish genusIctalurus, genera of the salamander family Salamandridae, and genera of the frog family Myobatrachidae). Stability was investigated by taking different sized random subsamples of OTUs or characters, computing UPGMA clusters and an MP tree, and then comparing the resulting trees with those based on the entire dataset. Agreement was measured by two consensus indices, that of Colless, computed from strict consensus trees, and Stinebrickner's 0.5-consensus index. Tests of character stability generally showed a monotone decrease in agreement with the standard as smaller sets of characters are considered. The relative success of the two methods depended upon the dataset. Tests of OTU stability showed a monotone decrease in agreement for UPGMA as smaller sets of OTUs are considered. But for MP, agreement decreased and then increased again on the same scale. The apparent superiority of UPGMA relative to MP with respect to OTU stability depended upon the dataset. Considerations other than stability, such as computer efficiency or accuracy, will also determine the method of choice for classifications.     

论技术进步的合目的性与合规律性的辩证统一

技术是"存在"的.它不是物又离不开物,它不是由人的大脑自生却又离不开人的大脑的理性思考;技术是人类主体不断探寻与技术容体逐渐外显过程中的一种契合;技术进步既体现出满足人类日益增长的需要的目的性,又体现出技术自身进化的内在的必然性;技术的进步是合乎人的主体目的性与技术自身进化内在必然性的辩证统一.     

宋代的“鸟兽草木之学”

宋代是我国古代科学文化非常繁荣的一个时期,生物学也有了令人瞩目的发展。伴随着动植物资料的积累,促进了专门的“鸟兽草木之学”（或称古典生物学）的形式。各种类型的生物学著作迅速增加。它们有的描述地域性的动植物资源,如《益部方物略记》、《南方草木状》;有的描述专门类属的动植物,如《桐谱》和《蟹谱》等等;还有一些是当时学者广泛学习的资料丰富的综合性生物学著作,如《埤雅》。更为突出的是一些学者试图创造出自己的生物学奠基性著作,如《禽经》、《昆虫草木略》。后一书的作者不但阐明“鸟兽草木之学”的重要性,而且把它当作古代20种最重要的学术之一。还有一些学者则强调研究动植物对于认知外部世界的重要性。当时的这种学术思潮,使更多的生物学著作涌出,并对后世产生了深远的影响。     

技术、理性与现代性批判

现代技术既给人类带来进步与繁荣,又带来许多令人担忧的问题.现代技术问题是当前人类面临难题之一.作为现代性运动必然结果,"技术问题"不仅反映了技术与自然之冲突,还透射出肇始启蒙的现代性文化之固有矛盾.理性是现代性运动的核心文化理念之一,从启蒙理性到技术理性之蜕变以及技术理性之过分张扬是技术问题出现的重要原因.     

预防兽医学资助格局及未来研究方向的探讨

多年来 ,国家自然科学基金在预防兽医学领域共资助面上项目 1 2 7项 ,经费 1 3 58万元 ;农业倾斜 1项 ,经费 3 0万元 ;重点项目 3项 ,经费 3 3 0万元 ;重大项目 1项 ,经费 50 0万元。这些资助项目的研究几乎覆盖了我国主要的畜禽传染病。从研究内容来看 ,多集中在病原的分子生物学研究 ,其中大多数均为对国际最新进展的跟踪性研究。今后的目标 ,要善于把现代分子生物学技术与经典的病毒学、细菌学、免疫学、病理学及动物实验技术综合应用起来 ,把病原和构成病的动物体结合起来研究。不论是从本学科的长远发展角度来看 ,还是从立足于当前我国畜牧生产的需求出发 ,今后一段时期内 ,我国预防兽医学的研究应逐渐将重点放在畜 (禽 )群中宿主的易感性、病原与不同宿主 (包括人 )的转染规律和病原生态学及相互作用、不同病原在畜 (禽 )群中的共存及相互作用、病原的变异及重组等问题上来     

The Meaning of Life in a Developing Universe

The evolution of life on Earth has produced an organism that is beginning to model and understand its own evolution and the possible future evolution of life in the universe. These models and associated evidence show that evolution on Earth has a trajectory. The scale over which living processes are organized cooperatively has increased progressively, as has its evolvability. Recent theoretical advances raise the possibility that this trajectory is itself part of a wider developmental process. According to these theories, the developmental process has been shaped by a yet larger evolutionary dynamic that involves the reproduction of universes. This evolutionary dynamic has tuned the key parameters of the universe to increase the likelihood that life will emerge and produce outcomes that are successful in the larger process (e.g. a key outcome may be to produce life and intelligence that intentionally reproduces the universe and tunes the parameters of ‘offspring’ universes). Theory suggests that when life emerges on a planet, it moves along this trajectory of its own accord. However, at a particular point evolution will continue to advance only if organisms emerge that decide to advance the developmental process intentionally. The organisms must be prepared to make this commitment even though the ultimate nature and destination of the process is uncertain, and may forever remain unknown. Organisms that complete this transition to intentional evolution will drive the further development of life and intelligence in the universe. Humanity’s increasing understanding of the evolution of life in the universe is rapidly bringing it to the threshold of this major evolutionary transition.     

天行与人治:严复天演哲学思想的对立统一关系

严复天演哲学思想的内容主要来源于西方近代进化论学说以及思想领域的社会达尔文主义,同时积极吸收了部分中国传统思想.严复天演哲学主要解决的是作为"天行"领域的生物进化学说及其自然选择机制与作为"人治"领域的人类社会发展之间的对立与统一关系.首先,严复通过将生物进化论的原理和自然选择机制提升和泛化为一种普天之"道",使其适用...     

On the use of ordered sets in problems of comparison and consensus of classifications

Ordered set theory provides efficient tools for the problems of comparison and consensus of classifications Here, an overview of results obtained by the ordinal approach is presented Latticial or semilatticial structures of the main sets of classification models are described Many results on partitions are adaptable to dendrograms; many results on n-trees hold in any median semilattice and thus have counterparts on ordered trees and Buneman (phylogenetic) trees For the comparison of classifications, the semimodularity of the ordinal structures involved yields computable least-move metrics based on weighted or unweighted elementary transformations In the unweighted case, these metrics have simple characteristic properties For the consensus of classifications, the constructive, axiomatic, and optimization approaches are considered Natural consensus rules (majoritary, oligarchic, ) have adequate ordinal formalizations A unified presentation of Arrow-like characterization results is given In the cases of n-trees, ordered trees and Buneman trees, the majority rule is a significant example where the three approaches convergeThe authors would like to thank the anonymous referees for helpful suggestions on the first draft of this paper, and W H E Day for his comments and his significant improvements of style