Wherever we find orderly, stable systems in Nature, we find that they are hierarchically structured, for the simple reason that without such structuring of complex systems into sub-assemblies, there could be no order and stability- except the order of a dead universe filled with a uniformly distributed gas.
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Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding
Society is a masked ball, where every one hides his real character, and reveals it by hiding
The process of evolution may be described as differentiation of structure and integration of function. The more differentiated and specialized read more
The process of evolution may be described as differentiation of structure and integration of function. The more differentiated and specialized the parts, the more elaborate co-ordination is needed to create a well-balanced whole. The ultimate criterion of the value of a functional whole is the degree of its internal harmony or integratedness, whether the "functional whole" is a biological species or a civilization or an individual. A whole is defined by the pattern of relations between its parts, not by the sum of its parts; and a civilization is not defined by the sum of its science, technology, art and social organization, but by the total pattern which they form, and the degree of harmonious integration in that pattern.
What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?
What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?
The unicorn is a very fierce beast with only one horn. To capture it a virgin maid is placed in read more
The unicorn is a very fierce beast with only one horn. To capture it a virgin maid is placed in the field. The unicorn approaches her, and resting in her lap, is so taken.
Words have ruined more souls than any devil's agency.
Words have ruined more souls than any devil's agency.
Facts do not "speak for themselves." They speak for or against competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions are read more
Facts do not "speak for themselves." They speak for or against competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions are mere isolated curiosities.
The world is governed more by appearance than realities so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know read more
The world is governed more by appearance than realities so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it.
Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.
Everybody wants to be somebody; nobody wants to grow.
To gauge the understanding and insight that metaphysics provides is to ask whether, in the final analysis, it helps us read more
To gauge the understanding and insight that metaphysics provides is to ask whether, in the final analysis, it helps us to cope with our world and harmonize our existence with nature, humanity, and ourselves, and leads to greater freedom and self-realization. Metaphysics is only the beginning. The end is human progress.
