In today’s world, the topic of consciousness has become increasingly prevalent. This may be due to the number of individuals who seem to exhibit a lack of consciousness, or perhaps it is simply a natural curiosity. A quick search for “consciousness books” yields an overwhelming number of titles, ranging from classic works by Aldous Huxley and Carl Jung, to recent bestsellers like “Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind” by Annaka Harris. The field also includes countless works on neuroscience, mysticism, meditation, and self-help, making the possibilities for learning about consciousness seemingly limitless.
Among this extensive range of literature comes “Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being” by Neil Theise. Theise, a pathologist and stem cell biologist at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, has published numerous academic works that focus on the liver, intrahepatic bacteria, and hepatic stem cells and cancers. His latest work explores the concept of complexity theory, which seeks to provide scientific understanding for questions related to consciousness, being, self, and our place in the universe.
But what exactly is complexity theory? As Theise explains, it is not simply about complexity as a synonym for “complicated.” Instead, it is the study of complex systems and patterns of interactions that are open-ended, evolving, unpredictable, adaptive, and self-sustaining. By observing interconnected systems, from ant hills to nations, we can better understand how life self-organizes and the role that we play within it.
Although Theise’s book covers some intimidating topics like cell biology, string theory, axioms, and quantum mechanics – which even the renowned physicist Richard Feynman claimed was not fully understood – the author provides clarity through lucid explanations and relevant illustrations.
The mindfulness literature often encourages us to contemplate the vast interconnectedness of the universe, but this can be a challenging task for those of us raised in the individualistic and self-involved Western world. Theise notes that while it is common to repeat the “banal” truism that we are all “one with the universe,” it is difficult to truly understand it as a physical experience rather than just a belief.
In exploring the constantly regenerative nature of complexity, Theise offers a sense of hope. Despite the chaotic nature of the end state, complexity theory reveals that every individual is an expression of the entire living, conscious universe. The author’s insights can occasionally be dense and difficult to understand, but reading “Notes on Complexity” offers a compelling and exhilarating journey into the fascinating world of complexity.
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