A New Scientific Law Reveals the Evolution of Life and the Universe
Researchers have recently proposed a groundbreaking scientific law that applies to the evolution of not just life, but also minerals, planets, stars, and everything else in the universe. This law, known as “the law of increasing functional information,” identifies universal concepts of selection that drive systems to evolve and become more complex over time, regardless of whether they are living or not.
The research team behind this law consisted of philosophers, astrobiologists, a theoretical physicist, a mineralogist, and a data scientist. In a collaborative effort, they sought to address the fundamental mystery of why complex systems, including life, tend to evolve towards greater functional information. Their findings were published in the journal PNAS on October 16.
Scientific laws serve as descriptions of observed phenomena, advancing our understanding of the world and paving the way for further research. While they may not explain the underlying causes of these phenomena, they provide a solid foundation for scientific exploration.
According to the new law, the functional information of a system will increase, indicating that the system is evolving, if various configurations of the system undergo selection for one or more functions. This applies specifically to systems composed of multiple components, such as atoms, molecules, and cells, which can be rearranged in different ways. The law asserts that only a few configurations survive based on their function.
Building upon Darwin’s theory of evolution, the researchers also propose that non-living systems can evolve. When a novel configuration of components improves function, this evolution occurs. Stability is cited as one example of a function that can drive evolution.
The scientific community has responded to this new law with enthusiasm. Stuart Kauffman, a theoretical biologist and professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania, called it a “superb, bold, broad, and transformational article.” Milan Cirkovic, a research professor at the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, described it as “a breeze of fresh air” at the intersection of astrobiology, systems science, and evolutionary theory.
However, not everyone is convinced. Martin Rees, an astronomer and professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge, expressed skepticism, suggesting that while the variety of materials and structures in the inanimate world may continue to emerge given enough time and space, it does not necessarily indicate a new underlying principle akin to Darwinian selection in the biological realm.
