From: lexfridman
The concepts of complexity and emergence occupy critical frontiers in the study of chemistry and physics. These principles help to elucidate phenomena ranging from the origin of life to the inner workings of the universe, providing frameworks for understanding complex systems.
Life’s Emergence from Simplicity
A central question in the study of complexity is understanding how simple chemical reactions gave rise to life on Earth. As discussed by Lee Cronin, a chemist from the University of Glasgow, life may have originated from a simple set of chemical processes occurring around 4.5 billion years ago when the Earth was hot and comprised of limited elements like minerals, carbon, and water [00:02:02]. Cronin posits that life happened relatively quickly, suggesting it was an inevitable outcome given the conditions [00:02:41].
The transition from simple molecules to complex life forms involves a process of natural selection. Cronin emphasizes that selection processes were established before biological mechanisms matured, essentially framing the universe as a playground for complexity fueled by chemistry and constraints [00:02:44].
Assembly Theory
Cronin introduces the concept of Assembly Theory, which posits that complexity in molecules can be understood by examining how they are assembled. In this framework, the complexity of an object is determined by the number of unique steps needed to assemble it [01:28:01]. Objects that require more assembly steps are considered highly complex and are likely to have arisen through evolutionary processes rather than random chance [01:29:28].
Causation and Complexity
A fascinating aspect of assembly theory is its implications for understanding causation. Cronin argues that assembly theory is not just about life but also about identifying causal structures in the universe [01:38:07]. The more complex an object, the more historical interactions it embodies, revealing a universe where life and complexity arise not from laws alone, but from a network of historical processes.
Controversial Views on Time
In a bold challenge to traditional physics, Cronin suggests that time is fundamental rather than emergent. He argues that treating time as fundamental helps explain the emergence of complexity in the universe without invoking hypothetical constructs like a perfectly ordered past [01:51:09]. This perspective implies a universe continuously increasing in complexity and novelty, with time providing the framework for such growth.
Implications for Chemistry and Physics
Cronin’s work, which integrates scientific rigor with philosophical depth, opens new avenues for understanding the universe. Through assembly theory and the fundamental nature of time, Cronin sees a pattern where simple systems can lead to complex outcomes, analogous to complexity and emergence in systems and complexity in natural systems.
Emerging technologies like computation (a hybrid of chemistry and computation) highlight the practical applications of these theories. By enabling the automated creation of complex molecules, computation showcases how emergent complexity can be harnessed and directed, reminiscent of the innovations in computation_and_its_applications_in_physics.
Conclusion
Instead of viewing life and complexity as static snapshots, Cronin’s framework invites us to see these phenomena as dynamic, evolving processes. The study of complexity and emergence in chemistry and physics offers profound insights essential for future explorations in theoretical and applied sciences, and potentially impacts fields like quantum_chemistry_and_astrobiology and the ongoing challenges_and_explorations_in_theoretical_physics. Through these lenses, the universe is not merely a collection of particles and forces but a rich tapestry of interactions and histories continuously unfolding.