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This book, written for a wide readership with some background in
the natural sciences, addresses the very old problem of the
mind-brain-relationship. The authors, all well-known scientists,
approach the subject in different stages. The first part addresses
some general principles based on physics, computer science, and
theoretical biology. The two following parts deal with the problem
at different organizational levels, from the microscopic to the
macroscopic. The fourth part addresses the subjective level founded
on the findings of psychologists and neurophysiologists.
The chapters in this book centre around one main theme, the concept
of the machine and its use as metaphor in a variety of contexts.
This concept is deeply rooted in western culture and is frequently
used to interpret complex systems in nature and society. With the
advent of electronic computers, the machine metaphor applied to
thinking and the brain has becOIne even more pertinent. The idea of
a machine has changed over time. In this book these transformations
are made trans parent, various aspects of the machine metaphor are
discussed and limitations and pitfalls of the metaphor are
elaborated. The chapters are written in a non-technical fashion and
are accessible to a large readership of scientists and also laymen
interested in the scientific per spectives and logical foundations
of the machine concept that has been so influential in western
thinking. The idea of the book has its origin in a workshop held at
the Sci entific Station in Abisko, Sweden, in May 1990, where
several of the present authors participated. The meeting was
organized and spon sored by the Swedish Council for Planning and
Coordination of Re search (FRN). Since 1983, the FRN has actively
promoted a series of such annual events at Abisko, all of which
have been devoted to the exploration of various aspects of complex
systems and their evolution.
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