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Location:
FIAS, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main
Seminar room 2.116 (new physics building, second floor)
Time: Monday, January 30, 14:15
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Prof. Dr. Klaus Mainzer, Department for Philosophy of Science, University of Augsburg
Symmetry and Complexity in Dynamical Systems Abstract: Cosmic evolution leads from symmetry to complexity by symmetry breaking and phase transitions. The emergence of new order and structure in nature and society is explained by physical, chemical, biological, social and economic self-organization, according to the laws of nonlinear dynamics. All these dynamical systems are considered computational systems processing information and entropy. Human brain plays a privileged role, because it generates our models of symmetry and complexity. Are symmetry and complexity only useful models of science or are they universals of reality? The lecture discusses the fascinating insights of nonlinear science gained from natural, social and computer science, philosophy and the arts. References: K. Mainzer, Symmetry and Complexity. The Spirit and Beauty of Nonlinear Science, World Scientific: Singapore 2005; Thinking in Complexity. The Computational Dynamics of Matter, Mind, and Mankind, Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg/New York 4th edition 2004; The Little Book of Time, Copernicus Books: New York 2002 (German: 5th edition 2005); Symmetries of Nature, De Gruyter: Berlin/New York 1996 (German:1988). |