Transcript Slide 1
Emergence and Growth of
Knowledge and Diversity in
Hierarchically Complex Living
Systems:
Genesis of a theoretical
framework
William P. Hall
Head Office / Engineering
Tenix Defence, Williamstown
[email protected]
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY OF
SPECIES AND
ORGANIZATIONS
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Personal Research
Visiting Faculty Associate
University of Technology Sydney
National Fellow
Australian Centre for Science, Innovation and
Society - University of Melbourne
Origins
Work traces from a profound mismatch between my ideas regarding
the nature of enterprises and their knowledge
– I'm an evolutionary biologist by training (PhD Harvard, 1973)
• EE Williams, Ernst Mayr, SJ Gould, EO Wilson, JD Watson, M. Meselson,
etc.
• Research in early life, genetic systems, speciation and differentiation
• For 25 years I have been computerizing knowledge in organizations
– I started a book in 2000 on the co-evolution of human cognition and our
cognitive tools at personal and organizational levels
•
•
•
•
Application Holy Wars: A Fugue on the Theory of Knowledge
Project halted due to a mismatch between org literature and my ideas
Solution re-formulates org theory and KM on evolutionary principles
Reformulation now well underway with peer-reviewed published papers
Current paper bridges the gaps between the reformulation of org
theory and idea roots in cellular and organismic evolutionary biology
– To make the story coherent requires reinventing the theory of life itself
• theory of self-organizing hierarchically complex dissipative systems
• evolutionary epistemology
• autopoiesis
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Key ideas (1)
Complex = incalculable? / computationally irreducible dynamics(?)
Complexity can exist at many hierarchical scales
The selected focal level in a dynamic and hierarchically complex
world determines a triad for analysis (Simon, Pattee, Salthe, Gould)
– The two-faced holon or system of interest at the focal level
– The smaller, faster components and subsystems forming the holon at
the next lower level
– The larger, slower supersystem forming the holon's environment
Thermodynamics in complex environments drives dissipative systems
conducting energy from source to sink to evolve complex
"convection" systems (Prigogine, Morowitz, Odum, Kay, Schneider)
Selective dis-integration of unstable systems favours convection
systems with self-stabilising feedback loops (various)
Survival perpetuates the dynamic structures of successful solutions
to problems (truism)
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Key ideas (2)
Autopoiesis defines a set of integrated properties that a complex
system must have to be considered to be living (Maturana & Varela)
–
–
–
–
–
–
Self-identifiably bounded
Individually identifiable components within the boundary
Dynamically mechanistic
System boundaries internally determined
System intrinsically produces own components
Self-produced components produce the system
Evolutionary epistemology (Karl Popper, Donald Campbell)
– Knowledge = solutions to problems of life
– Knowledge is constructed - impossible to deductively prove a belief
about reality is true (or false)
– Knowledge of reality improves through speculation, test and error
elimination (Popper); blind variation & selective retention (Campbell)
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Key ideas (3)
Ontological domains (Popper - my interpretation)
– World 1 - dynamic physical reality that life learns about
– World 2 - computationally irreducible(?) solutions to problems of life
embodied in the historically derived dispositions and dynamic structures
of surviving autopoietic systems - corresponds to Polanyi's tacit
knowledge
– World 3 - encoded solutions to problems of life
• DNA
• Trails, pheromones
• Linguistic expression, books, media
– [World 3'/World 4? Constructs, tools, nests, architecture, cities]
Epistemic cuts (Pattee, Rocha, Hoffmeyer, Emmeche)
– The difference between reality and knowledge of reality
– Cut 1 - World 2 from world 1
– Cut 2 - World 3 from world 2
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Emergence of knowledge
Cognition is the cybernetics of autopoiesis (Maturana)
Emergence = establishment of a complex system at a new level in the
hierarchy between two pre existing levels of complexity (Salthe)
Early autopoietic systems emerge close to thermodynamic equilibrium
between coalescence/disintegration (Kauffman)
– Autopoietic systems produce components that are favourable to autopoiesis
– Dissipating systems lose history, but return components to the environment
that have previously worked in autopoietic systems
• Knowledge of autopoiesis is inherent in the environment, thus shared promiscuously
• Promiscuity impedes specialisation because random components need to work together
– Early reproduction requires only growth and fragmentation - where fragments
would retain some of the parent's history
Selection for self-stabilization evolves towards clonal reproduction away
from equilibrium, and preserves structural history that worked
Knowledge defines the nature and behaviour of the autopoietic system
Meaning = knowledge embodied in dynamic structure
Knowledge = heredity and is the historically accumulated control
'information' of autopoietic cybernetics that regulates problem responses
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Emergent orders of autopoietic complexity
Presence of autopoietic system self-defines a level of complexity
1st order triad
– Holonic level = living cell
(1O' = endosymbiotic cellular organization)
– Subsystems/components = macromolecules
– Supersystem/environment = medium in trophically dynamic ecosystem
2nd order triad
– Holonic level = multicellular organism (1O' = colonial "superorganism")
– Subsystems/components = living cells
– Supersystem/environment = medium in trophically dynamic ecosystem
3rd order triad
– Holonic level = society of organisms (ants, bees, termites)
– Subsystems/components = multicellular organisms
– Supersystems/environment = medium in trophically dynamic ecosystem
3rd order triad
– Holonic level = human economic organization
– Subsystems/components = entities with linguistic capabilities
– Supersystems/components = products in dynamic economy
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Reproduction, sex, and diversification (1)
World 2 knowledge transmitted by the division of pre-existing
dynamic structure
– inescapable consequence of autopoiesis
– entails some loss of computationally irreducible structure
– depends on what parts of structure passed on
Emergence of world 3 knowledge depends on evolution of
codification systems
– Autocatalytic nucleic acid polymers in emergence of first order
autopoiesis.
•
•
•
•
Nucleic acid polymers may have enzymatic and/or structural fns
Autoreplication of polymer replicates associated functions
RNAs retain structural & enzymatic functions to apply control info
DNAs codified control information into "genes"
– Selective advantages for grouping genes into chromosomes
• Accurate replication
• Controlled segregation into daughter cells
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Reproduction, sex, and diversification (2)
Clonal reproduction in prokaryotes
– Clonal evol & differentiation of coadapted snippets in lineages
– Advantage: Protected accuracy of existing world 3 knowledge
– Disadvantage: Reduced ability to recombine tested knowledge from
different sources in one lineage
Sexual recombination totally separate from reproduction
–
–
–
–
–
Transformation (naked DNA absorbed from environment)
Transduction (viral transfer)
Conjugation (transfer of plasmid DNA via cell bridge)
Recognition of related & rejection of unrelated DNA sequences
Pairing & crossing over of homologous DNA
Eukaryote DNA well isolated from external exchanges
Choreographed cell & nuclear fusion
– Choreographed recombination and assortment
– Specialised knowledge allows emergence of biological speciation and gene
pools as evolutionary entities
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Knowledge in higher order autopoiesis (1)
Second order systems (multicellular organisms)
– Clonal budding and alternation of generations common in lower orgs
– W2 knowledge transmitted via structure of egg cell
• Learning reflected in structural connections of neurones and other
aspects of dispositional structure (physiological adaptation)
• Most dispositional (somatic) learning cannot be transferred via sexual
reproduction
– Extended parental care can transfer some W2 knowledge via
demonstration and copying
– W3 knowledge in DNA
• All cells have same DNA
• Some DNA is control info for cell differentiation and development
• Only evolves via blind variation and selective elimination of carriers
– W3 knowledge in extrasomatic heritage
• Evolution of semiotic/linguistic transfers
• Encoded objects
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Knowledge in higher order autopoiesis (2)
Third order systems (societies, organizations)
– Pubs: Hall 2003, 2005; Else 2004; Hall et al. 2005; Nousala et al,
2005; Dalmaris et al. in press
– W2 knowledge
•
•
•
•
•
social network structure
layout and capabilities of plant and machinery
tacit organizational routines
tacit personal knowledge
cultural dynamics
– W3 knowledge
• part of DNA at level of individual organisms encoded adaptations for
social behaviours
• pheromonal trails, published inducements, etc.
• records and documents of organizational significance
• explicitly defined processes and procedures
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
The author's background
Entered Uni 1957 - Majored in physics for 3 yrs / failed
BS in Biology 1964 (ecology and animal behavior)
Taught biology 2 years at a new uni with a new MS program
PhD in Evolutionary Biology, Harvard (1967-1973)
Taught biology for 4 years - Univ. Puerto Rico, Colorado
(Hands on with all generations of computer systems)
University Melb Res Fellow 77-79, genetics, epistemology
1 year teaching Uni Maryland before return to Australia
81-83 Taught computer literacy
84-87 Documentation Mgr small software house
87-89 IS Documentation Mgr Bank of Melbourne
90- Tenix Defence variety of documentation & KM roles
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Timeline: Incubation
1960 Consequences of exponential growth on a finite planet
1960-63 Biophysics - sensory & dev. physiology research (res. asst.)
1962-64 Odum's ecosystem trophic dynamics (course & hons. research)
1963 Discovered correlation of chromosome and species diversity in
Sceloporus lizards (course research)
1965-1980 Planning & teaching range of integrative biology courses
1965-66 Discovered endosymbiotic origins eukaryote cells
1967-73 Comparative population cytogenetics, speciation, and evolution
of the iguanid lizard genus Sceloporus (PhD thesis work)
– heredity, systematics, cladistics and analysis of evolutionary systems
1977-1979 First round application of Popper and Kuhn's thinking to
evolutionary biology (see Hall 1983)
– app. statistical signal averaging to logic of scientific discovery
1981 personal computing, business documentation production, analysis
and management; business process analysis; organisational KM
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
Timeline: Prob. identification & theory dev't
1998 Ian Combe's work
2000 John Boyd's work; paradigmatic issues in flame wars re use of
cognitive tools in org. documentation and technical writing world
Late 2000-2002 Began hypertext: Application Holy Wars or a New
Reformation: A Fugue on the Theory of Knowledge
2001 Encountered Michael Polanyi's epistemology
2002 Encountered fundamental paradigmatic issues between my
understanding of org theory and cognition and the rest of world
– Required access to research library to study issues
– Negotiated hon. fellowship via Monash Uni KM Lab (Frada Burstein)
2002 Encountered Maturana and Varela's work
– Decision to reinvent organization and KM theory via series of papers,
student training
2004 Encountered Salthe's work on hierarchy theory Pattee et al.
Mid 2005 Monash Uni ended hon. fellowship (no Tenix money gained)
2006 UniMelb, UTS honorary access, 3 PhD's finished, more???
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/
What next?
Cog science to fill the gap between genetic & org knowledge
Seeking new students
– Biology, cog science (no funds, more than happy to advise)
– Possible "KM Intern" positions within Tenix (probably unfunded)
Several potential collaborators already identified: Aus, EU, USA
Continuing problem
– Employer is a high tech defence project management company
• To now, they have been very cooperative where my time is concerned
• Don't fully understand KM, let alone fundamental research
• Where is their return on their investment in my time?
– $0.00 grant funding and I am not independently wealthy
– Have 70+ days accumulated long-service leave
• Desperately need hot-desk & bookshelf space with broadband net access
where I can focus on completing planned papers
• Prefer accessibility major uni library and train (for commuting)
• Prefer to use leave on a part-time basis (say 2-3 days/week)
– Ideally seek grant money to buy more time from Tenix
Personal Research
http://www.orgs-evolution-knowledge.net/