"It is the selective advantage arising from various synergistic effects that constitutes the underlying cause of the apparent orthogenetic (or directional) aspect of evolutionary history, that is, the progressive emergence of complex, hierarchically organized systems."

"To state the hypothesis explicitly, it is the selective advantages associated with various forms of synergy that have been responsible for the "progressive" evolution of complex, functionally organized biological and social systems; underlying each of the many steps in the complexification process, a common functional principle has been at work. (Synergy in this context refers to co-operative effects, the effects produced by two or more elements, parts or individuals; synergistic effects are always co-determined and interdependent.) In other words, the functional effects produced by co-operating objects -- literally, things that operate together -- have themselves been the very cause of the trend toward more complex systems; in evolutionary processes, effects are also causes. (This is, of course, a bare-bones rendering of a much more elaborate argument.)" (Peter Corning)

Slots and Values
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