Inside Versus Outside: Endo- and Exo-Concepts of Observation and Knowledge in Physics, Philosophy and Cognitive Science PDF
Preview Inside Versus Outside: Endo- and Exo-Concepts of Observation and Knowledge in Physics, Philosophy and Cognitive Science
Springer Series in Synergetics Editor: Hennann Haken Synergetics, an interdisciplinary field of research, is concerned with the cooperation of individual parts of a system that produces macroscopic spatial, temporal or functional structures. It deals with deterministic as well as stochastic processes. 36 Temporal Disorder 51 Foundations ofSynergetics I in Human Oscillatory Systems Distributed Active Systems Editors: L. Rensing, U. an der Heiden, By A. S. Mikhailov M.C.Mackey 52 Foundations of Synergetics II 37 The Physics of Structure Formation Complex Patterns By A. Yu. Loskutov, Theory and Simulation A. S. Mikhailov Editors: W. Guttinger, G. Dangelmayr 53 Synergetic Economics By W.-B. Zhang 38 Computational Systems - Natural and 54 Quantum Signatures of Chaos Artificial Editor: H. Haken ByF. Haake 39 From Chemical to Biological 55 Rhythms in Physiological Systems Organization Editors: M. Markus, Editors: H. Haken, H. P. Koepchen S. C. Milller, G. Nicolis 40 Information and Self-Organization 56 Quantum Noise By C. W. Gardiner A Macroscopic Approach to Complex 57 Nonlinear Nonequilibrium Systems By H. Haken Thermodynamics I Linear and Nonlinear 41 Propagation in Systems Far from Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorems Equilibrium Editors: J. E. Wesfreid, By R. Stratonovich H. R. Brand, P. Manneville, G. Albinet, 58 Self-organization and Clinical N. Boccara Psychology Empirical Approaches to 42 Neural and Synergetic Computers Synergetics in Psychology Editor: H. Haken Editors: W. Tschacher, G. Schiepek, 43 Cooperative Dynamics in Complex EJ. Brnnner Physical Systems Editor: H. Takayama 59 Nonlinear Nonequilibrium 44 Optimal Structures in Heterogeneous Thermodynamics II Advanced Theory Reaction Systems By R. Stratonovich Editor: P. J. Plath 60 Limits of Predictability 45 Synergetics of Cognition Editor: Yu. A. Kravtsov Editors: H. Haken, M. Stadler 61 On Self-Organization 46 Theories of Immune Networks An Interdisciplinary Search Editors: H. Atlan, I. R. Cohen for a Unifying Principle 47 Relative Information Theories and Editors: R. K. Mishra, D. MaaB, Applications By G. Jumarie E. Zwierlein 48 Dissipative Structures in Transport 62 Interdisciplinary Approaches Processes and Combustion to Nonlinear Complex Systems Editor: D. Meinkohn Editors: H. Haken, A. Mikhailov 49 Neuronal Cooperativity 63 Inside Versus Outside Editor: 1. Kriiger Endo-and Exo-Concepts of Observation and 50 Synergetic Computers and Cognition Knowledge in Physics, Philosophy and A Top-Down Approach to Neural Nets Cognitive Science ByH.Haken Editors: H. Atmanspacher, G. 1. Dalenoort Volumes 1-35 are listed at the end of the book H.Atmanspacher G.J. Dalenoort (Eds.) Inside Versus Outside Endo- and Exo-Concepts of Observation and Knowledge in Physics, Philosophy and Cognitive Science With 91 Figures Springer-¥erlag Berlin Heidelberg New York London Paris Tokyo Hong Kong Barcelona Budapest Dr. Harald Atmanspacher Max-Planck-Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik, D-85740 Garching, Germany Dr. Gerhard J. Dalenoort Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, P. O. Box 72, NL-9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands Series Editor: Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Hermann Haken Institut fur Theoretische Physik und Synergetik der Universitiit Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany and Center for Complex Systems, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA lSBN-13: 978-3-642-48649-4 e-1SBN-13: 978-3-642-48647-0 001: 10.1007/978-3-642-48647-0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. Inside versus outside: endo-and exo-concepts of observation and knowledge in physics, philosophy, and cognitive science 1 H. Atmanspacher and G. J. Dalenoort, eds. p. cm. - (Springer series in synergetics; v. 63) Includes bibliographical references and index. Physics-Methodology. 2. Physics-Philosophy. 3. Biology-Methodology. 4. Cognition. I. Atmanspacher, H. II. Dalenoort, G. J. III. Series. QC6.I636 1994 501'9.-dc20 93-44940 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer-Verlag. Violations are liable for prosecution under the German Copyright Law. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1994 Soft cover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1994 The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Typesetting: Camera ready copy from the editors using a Springer 'lEX macro package SPIN 10122040 57/3140 -5 4 3 210 -Printed on acid-free paper Foreword In our daily lives we conceive of our surroundings as an objectively given reality. The world is perceived through our senses, and ~hese provide us, so we believe, with a faithful image of the world. But occ~ipnally we are forced to realize that our senses deceive us, e.g., by illusions. For a while it was believed that the sensation of color is directly r~lated to the frequency of light waves, until E. Land (the inventor of the polaroid camera) showed in detailed experiments that our perception of, say, a colored spot depends on the colors of its surrounding. On the other hand, we may experience hallucinations or dreams as real. Quite evidently, the relationship between the "world" and our "brain" is intricate. Another strange problem is the way in which we perceive time or the "Now". Psychophysical experiments tell us that the psychological "Now" is an extended period of time in the sense of physics. The situation was made still more puzzling when, in the nineteen-twenties, Heisenberg and others realized that, by observing processes in the microscopic world of electrons and other elementary particles, we strongly interfere with that world. The outcome of experiments - at least in general - can only be predicted statistically. What is the nature ofthis strange relationship between "object" and "observer"? This is another crucial problem of the inside-outside or endo-exo dichotomy. A further branch of modern science is relevant in addition: In the rapidly developing area of cognitive science, brain models are being constructed based on concepts taken from computer sciences, synergetics, and other fields. Will these be able to shed new light on the endo-exo problem, and particularly on the problem of qualia? These are a few of the questions that inspired the authors who contributed to this book. It lies in the nature of the topic "en do exo" that some articles have to be somewhat speculative, whereas others follow more traditional lines of argument. Synergetics is a hard science, based on mathematics and experimental facts, as is witnessed by the Springer Series in Synergetics. But science can only progress if we are open to speculations, new hypotheses, new ideas, new theories. I believe that in this way the present volume will serve as an interdisciplinary forum for a discussion between philosophy, physics, and cognitive science at a high scientific level. The variety and depth of the topics treated here reminds me of a finding of synergetics: When an open system makes a phase transition to a coherent state, critical fluctuations occur. In the world of ideas this means: New ideas are born, discussed, tested, rejected, VI or accepted. Eventually a consensus is reached; a new collective scientific consciousness emerges. I believe that this fascinating and thought-provoking book is an important step toward the goal of understanding inside versus outside. Stuttgart, December 1993 H. Haken Preface This book inquires into the meaning and use of the notions of inside and out side, internal and external, interior and exterior, endo and exo. It considers these notions essentially in the framework of two basic aspects of cognitive activity: observation and knowledge. Endo- and exo-concepts of observation and knowledge are concerned with the collecting of (internal and external) facts, with the building of (internal and external) models, and with the in teractions that provide the necessary contact between these realms. As a consequence, relationships between inside and outside are of crucial impor tance. The most fundamental of these relationships is the division between inside and outside, which leads to concepts such as those of an endo-exo in terface or an endo-exo transition. Eventually, the question even arises as to whether there is a unity alongside (or beyond) the endo-exo distinction. In philosophy, all these problems in their huge variety of facets have been discussed for centuries. But it is only recently that the natural sciences have discovered them as important and treatable subjects. Physics as that branch of science focusing on the material reality surrounding us has reached a stage of knowledge at which it is realized that the role of the observer in experi mentation cannot be naively neglected. On the other hand, cognitive science studies the cognitive reality within our brain, psyche, or mind, which is incon ceivable without reference to the material world. Hence, physics, philosophy, and cognitive science must be consulted together if profound insight into the endo-exo issue is desired. The present book is the first systematic attempt in this direction and thus represents an example of a perfectly interdisciplinary approach. Its area of relevance is broad; it encounters keywords ranging from complexity to consciousness, from psychophysics to endophysics, and from cyberspace to post-Cartesian science. Any student or academic interested in one or more of these fields will find in this book a valuable source of infor mation and inspiration. It is the intention in this volume to provide a fair cross section of current efforts to deal with the various aspects of the endo-exo issue. On account of the early stage of the field, it would be unrealistic to expect that the relevant problems have thereby been solved definitely and finally. The reader will notice that different authors in the volume even use differing definitions and interpretations. Careful and step-by-step progress toward a more coherent use of terms will be mandatory. Nevertheless, the distinct approaches are certainly instructive, clarifying, and fruitful with respect to a number of basic VIII scientific questions. It is with a good deal of confidence that one can predict that the field will attract a lot of interest in the future. The collection of essays published here presents elaborated and refereed manuscripts of lectures given at an international workshop on endo-exo prob lems. The workshop was organized by the editors of this volume, and it was held at Ringberg Castle, a beautiful location south of Munich, from March 29 until April 2, 1993. Ringberg Castle is operated as a conference center of the Max-Planck-Society, whose hospitality is gratefully acknowledged. In particular, it is a pleasant duty to thank Mrs. Remberger, Mr. Hormann, and the personnel of the center for their invaluable help in many matters upon which the success of such an event decisively depends. Further thanks go to the Max-Planck-Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik for financial sup port and to its director Gregor Morfill for continuing encouragement. Finally, this volume owes its timely appearance and careful production to the help of Angela Lahee and her staff at Springer-Verlag. Garching/Groningen, H. Atmanspacher December 1993 G.J. Dalenoort Table of Contents Introduction H. Atmanspacher and G.J. Dalenoort 1 1. General Aspects Objectification as an Endo-Exo Transition H. Atmanspacher ............................................. 15 Action Principles and Teleology M. Stoltzner .................................................. 33 Internal Time and Temporality G. Franck .................................................... 63 Biological Evolution as a Process Viewed Internally G. Kampis ................................................... 85 Internal and External Representations of Mental Processes G.J. Dalenoort and P.H. de Vries ............................... 111 What Can We Learn From Internal Observers? D. Gernert ....." .............................................. 121 The Image and the Picture of Ecology C. Thomas ................................................... 135 2. The Perspective of Theoretical Physics Endophysics - Descartes Taken Seriously O.E. ROssler .................................................. 153 Endo- and Exo-Theories of Matter H. Primas .................................................... 163 Temporal Bell Inequalities: A Journey to the Limits of "Consistent Histories" G. Mahler .................................................... 195 x Entropy and Evolution J.D. Becker .................................................. 207 General Remarks on Complexity J. Kurths, A. Witt, H. Atmanspacher, F. Feudel, H. Scheingraber, and R. Wackerbauer ........................................... 219 Observing Complexity and the Complexity of Observation J.P. Crutchfield ............................................... 235 Extrinsic-Intrinsic Concept and Complementarity K. Svozil ..................................................... 273 3. The Perspective of Cognitive Science Time - A Hidden Window to Dynamics E. Ruhnau ................................................... 291 Sensory Perceptions and the Endo-Exo Interface: Towards a Physics of Cognitive Processes M. Euler ..................................................... 309 Circular Causality and the Human Self-Organized Endo-Exo Interface J .S. Wassenaar ............................................... 331 Epistemological Considerations of Neural Representations of Languages P.H. de Vries and G.J. Dalenoort ............................... 347 Semantic Pressure, Hyper-Systems, and Feelings H.M. Emrich ................................................. 359 Wigner's Friend Revitalized? W. von Lucadou .............................................. 369 The Mental System - A Mathematical/Physical Approach R. Olivier .................................................... 389 Index ....................................................... 407
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