[.ca] Growth and Development: Ecosystems Phenomenology (ISBN 0595001459)

A very valuable, but very difficult work...:
If the laws of thermodynamics, Darwin's theory of evolution, and modern quantum theory started to shatter the Newtonian worldview, this book delivers the final blow--no longer will scientists be able to look for causes solely on the level of mechanisms and deterministic laws. By demonstrating in a mathematically rigorous way how real, open systems behave and grow, the author of this book does what biologists for years have been struggling (and failing) to do--quantify the growth and development of complex, open systems in a way that is meaningful and useful. The author develops a single measure, called "ascendency", which is shown to increase in any system as that system grows. The ideas contained within this book are applicable to phenomena in a wide range of disciplines, from biology to economics. This book is indispensable for anyone studying complex systems. It requires a working knowledge of linear algebra and good math skills. It is a bit dense and difficult to read due to its mathematical nature, but it is truly rewarding for anyone who wants to put the time into it. Anyone who is interested in the subject but wishes a less mathematical book could check out another book by the same author, titled: "Ecology: The Ascendent Perspective".