We cordially invite all of you to a talk by Prof. Giuseppe Longo, Directeur de Recherches Emeritus, CNRS - Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. Former “Professore Ordinario di Informatica”, Università di Pisa, Italy.
Date: March 26, 2026 at 17:30
Venue: Seminarraum 3a (D0312) Department of Philosophy, Universitätsstraße 7, A-1010 Vienna
Title: Models of Emergence in Physics vs Theories of Novelty Production in Biology
Abstract: Several notion of ‘‘emergence’’ have been proposed in physics. They mostly concern the emergence of new structures and forms (morphogenesis). From Turing and Thom’s analysis of morphogenesis to self-organization in far from equilibrium thermodynamics and Parisi’s networks, a few types of emerging phenomena in complex systems will be recalled. Then the difference will be stressed with “novelty production” in biology. In Darwinian evolution, in particular, the conceptual (and possibly mathematical) frames require the construction of new perspectives, due to the nature of the intended observables and their historical specificity. The issue of “unification” with the many theories of inert matter involved in the understanding of biology will be hinted, by setting bridges and proposing conceptual dualities.
This talk is organized by Prof. Dr. Tarja Knuuttila.
We look forward to your participation and to engaging discussions!
