Stuart Kauffman - What Are Breakthroughs in Biology?

Breakthroughs are whole new ways of thinking about biology. Darwinian evolution and the DNA revolution are prime examples. What else? Complex systems? Emergence? Reductionism (bottoms-up mechanisms) vs. holism (top-down organization)? What’s the role of technology breakthroughs, especially biotech and artificial intelligence (AI)?



Stuart Alan Kauffman is an American theoretical biologist and complex systems researcher who studies the origin of life on Earth.


Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[francesco]

He is so good explaining in a way no one understand ...

[soubhikmukherjee]

Theoretical biology is a great field to do research.

[ansac]

I didn't understand a word of it.

[odiupickusclone-]

I don't know about biology, however in psychology we are every day farther from sanity...

[evanjameson]

excellent synopsis! "edge of chaos"..

[robertschlesinger]

Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video.

[nyttag]

A chaotic order, back to square one .

[maxwellsimoes]

He not has concise prove in his abstract model. Why his model evolution link dna since ancient time? Why? How it works. Abstract not sense speculations.

[jamesruscheinski]

Could DNA information be programmed at quantum level, with natural selection operating at classic level?

[stevedavis]

Tough to follow but definitely worth it. Very rewarding 10 mins with Stu Kauffman.

[Dr.CandanEsin]

Starting from 1965 he has memorized his theoretical progress and defines so. I felt there is a fundamental importance on critical system, being in the edge of chaos, for evolution but can not digest what is what. He seems to feel the threat of getting confabulated if he is interrupted and questioned about his theoretical structure. That may be why he speaks like a robot. Science people should receive presentation courses.

[davidkincade]

Ummm... near “phase transition” (criticality)... think of a rock at the very top of a hill.. a small push in a given digestion .... pretty smart right? Critically shows there is intelligence involved and flexibility is needed... Need to turn on and off depending on environmental change. Maybe a water tower is a better analogy, because when water (new function say) is needed in a new direction (building down the hill to a new environment not yet used) the organism gets to work to build it. Everything intelligent is riding on the edge of “criticality”.

[davidkincade]

Yup, intelligent things operate near phase transition (criticality- what ever)... saves energy- allows more flexibility, efficiency, and possibilities going forward. “Intended Evolution”. All of technology operates this way- things built intelligently... cells are smart - they also do this .

[patrickellis]

Nope! No idea 🤨 I am off to listen to David Chalmers 🤣

[leonoradompor]

I am the modern day Virgin Mary, the modern day unstructured Female Pope, i am working just behind the scene, so simple, natural and kind *

[jayrodriguez]

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For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

[teckyify]

No clue what he's talking about 😅

[druchristen]

Evolution vs intelligent design? I guess dna just evolved 🤣😂😅