Some Remarks on the Philosophical Significance of Complexity Theory

1. Closed systems have constant matter and energy. They were models for classical modern physics. I stress the "model" aspect. Newtonian physics proposes a model that allows approximations good enough for (military) technology. E.g., the center of gravity is only part of a model, a thought-entity, that allows for calculation: it doesn't exist in the same way atoms and molecules exist. (excusing myself from quantum mechanics stuff about existence of electrons.) Closed systems provide the classical image of nature as determinate system, as figured in the story of LaPlace's demon {Note 1}. Reversibility of time's arrow: predict and retrodict. Or better, destruction of time and achievement of God's eye view. Problem of articulating human freedom with deterministic nature. Various dualisms: Cartesian, Kantian.