The Emergence of Complexity in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Pontificiae Academiae Scientiarum Scripta Varia)

Complexity studies, though still in their infancy, are controversial. By viewing different systems--whether those in biological, physical, or even social sciences--as a series of interacting "agents," researchers involved in complexity explore a rich and diverse set of phenomena such as self-organization and adaptation. They use these phenomena to model and explain such things as the formation of cities, the behavior of the stock market, and the origin of life.

In this volume, some of the world's leading scientists discuss the role of complexity across all the scientific disciplines. Opinions differ: for some, complexity holds the key to a deeper and fuller understanding of the world about us; to others, it is merely a modern version of the philosophers' stone. For the reader, it provides glimpses and insight into arguably the most exciting approach to science currently available.