The Capricious Character of Nature

The on-going whole genome sequencing and whole cell assays of metabolites and proteins imply that complex systems could ultimately be mastered by perfecting knowledge into great detail. However, courses of nature are inherently intractable because flows of energy and their driving forces depend on e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Arto Annila, Jaana Keto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2012-01-01
Series:Life
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/2/1/165
Description
Summary:The on-going whole genome sequencing and whole cell assays of metabolites and proteins imply that complex systems could ultimately be mastered by perfecting knowledge into great detail. However, courses of nature are inherently intractable because flows of energy and their driving forces depend on each other. Thus no data will suffice to predict precisely the outcomes of e.g., engineering experiments. All path-dependent processes, most notably evolution in its entirety, display this capricious character of nature.
ISSN:2075-1729