A groundbreaking discovery in the field of evolutionary theory has uncovered a new “law of increasing functional information.” This law suggests that not only life on Earth, but complex natural systems as a whole, evolve towards higher complexity. This revelation has profound implications for various disciplines, from cosmology to astrobiology.
The study, published in the respected Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes this newfound law as a norm within the workings of the natural world. It states that complex natural systems, whether living or non-living, evolve towards states of greater patterning, diversity, and complexity. In other words, evolution is not limited to biology, but also occurs in systems such as planets, stars, minerals, and atoms.
The research was conducted by a team of leading scientists from renowned institutions like the Carnegie Institution for Science, the California Institute of Technology, and Cornell University, along with philosophers from the University of Colorado. The project was funded by the John Templeton Foundation.
The origins of this increasing functional information can be traced back to the formation of Earth billions of years ago. Geologic processes and the interaction of hot fluids with rock gave rise to over 1500 new mineral species. Around 2.5 billion years ago, the emergence of biological life introduced oxygen into the atmosphere, leading to significant changes in ancient life forms. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for the subsequent evolution of life, collaborating with minerals.
As life evolved from single-celled to multicellular organisms and ecosystems formed, the mineralogy of the Earth’s surface became more complex. The interplay between biological and mineral systems resulted in fundamental changes and opened up new possibilities for evolution. Biodiversity and mineral diversity are intertwined, with each influencing and shaping the other, ultimately leading to the diversity of life as we know it.
The backdrop for this groundbreaking research lies in the historical context of macroscopic laws of nature, which have long explained various natural phenomena. Laws like those governing forces, motion, gravity, electromagnetism, and energy have been established for over a century and a half.
This new study adds to the existing body of laws by recognizing evolution as an inherent feature of complex natural systems. These systems consist of multiple components, such as atoms, molecules, or cells, that can be rearranged repeatedly. The natural processes acting on these systems create countless different arrangements, but only a small fraction survive through a process known as “selection for function.” Evolution occurs when a novel configuration enhances the system’s function.
The researchers refer to this newly discovered law as the “Law of Increasing Functional Information.” It posits that a system will evolve if various configurations of the system undergo selection for one or more functions. Function, in this context, goes beyond survival and includes stability, ongoing energy supply, and novelty. Novelty is particularly fascinating as it represents the exploration of new configurations that can lead to unexpected behaviors or characteristics.
Throughout Earth’s history, life has exhibited countless novelties, from the evolution of photosynthesis to the emergence of multicellular life and the development of complex behaviors. These novelties have shaped the course of evolution and propelled the diversification of life forms.
Interestingly, this same pattern of evolution is observed in the mineral kingdom. Primordial minerals provided the stable foundations for subsequent generations of minerals, which played a crucial role in the origins of life. Life, in turn, utilizes minerals for various structures and functions. Over billions of years, the Earth has witnessed the emergence of nearly 6,000 known minerals, thanks to increasingly complex physical, chemical, and biological processes.
The researchers also note that the same evolutionary principles apply to stars. The earliest stars formed from hydrogen and helium shortly after the big bang. These stars then synthesized heavier elements, and subsequent generations of stars built upon this diversity to create even more elements.
The implications of this study are far-reaching and challenge the conventional boundaries of evolutionary theory. The authors argue that Darwinian evolution is merely one facet of a much larger natural phenomenon. The idea that selection for function drives evolution is applicable to stars, atoms, minerals, and other systems subject to selective pressure.
The work of these multi-disciplinary researchers opens the door to cross-disciplinary discussions on evolving systems. By investigating self-organization and emergent complexity in the natural world, they contribute to our understanding of this astounding characteristic of the universe.
In summary, the discovery of the “Law of Increasing Functional Information” represents a groundbreaking contribution to evolutionary theory. It highlights the pervasiveness of evolution across complex natural systems and offers insights that extend beyond life on Earth. This research challenges existing notions of evolutionary processes and sets the stage for further exploration of the fundamental mechanisms driving the evolution of our universe.
