The common developmental road: tensions among centripetal and centrifugal dynamics

• 来源期刊: 国家科学评论（英文版）
• 关键词: development evolution autocatalytic loop centripetality centrifugality
• 年，卷（期）: 2018,（3）
• 页码范围: 417-426
• 页数: 10页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwx033

摘要

Western thought since the Enlightenment has been predominantlylinear in scope,while Eastern philosophy has focused mostly on the cyclical.Recent advances in complex systems,however,have highlighted the importance ofcydes in nature,thereby opening an avenue for new common endeavors.This analysis centers on the role ofautocatalytic loops and addresses the evolutionary relationship between competition and cooperation.It posits an evolutionary chain running from individual competition,to individual cooperation,to collective competition,to deep cooperation.We identify the centripetality that is consequent to autocatalysis and define three types of centrifugalities.Development is defined in the context of the tension between these opposing directions.Finally,we propose an evolutionary process consisting of four stages:(i) autognosis,(ii) autocatalytic loop formation,(iii) self-control and (iv) self-realization (sensu Taoism).The developmental narrative promises to become a useful tool for facilitating communication between Eastern and Western cultures.