Sociophysics : Cosmos and Chaos in Nature and Culture

by Arnopoulos, Paris

• ISBN13: 9781590339671
• ISBN10: 1590339673
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-01
• Publisher: Nova Science Pub Inc

Summary

New transdisciplinary studies have been appearing not only in such established areas as biochemistry or social psychology; there are presently emerging inter-scientific fields such as sociobiology, econophysics and last but not least sociophysics. The latter is a renewed attempt to combine the latest natural and social science theories and come up with significant generalisations for both. Using the powerful physics metaphor as an inertial guidance system, sociophysics emphasises the underlying similarities between all systems. This new scientific hybrid is raising much controversy as well as revealing great promise; for this reason, it has been chosen to provide the core and focus for this book. The holistic scope of this book makes it an appropriate reference work in many courses, such as: Global Ecology; Evolutionary Biology; Macroeconomics; Sociological Theory; Philosophy of Social Science; Theoretical Physics; Thermodynamics; Macro-history; Behavioural Science; General Systems Theory; and Interdisciplinary Studies.

Table of Contents

Thematic Outline	xi
Table of Diagrams	xiii
Acronyms	xv
Synoptic Table	xvii
Foreword	xxix
Prologue	xxxi
Introduction	xxxv
Context	xliii
Ecology	xliii
Topology	xliv
Chronology	xlv
Content	xlvii
Ontology	xlvii
Morphology	xlix
Tropology	l
Codex	lii
Epistemology	lv
Methodology	lvi
Axiology	lvii
Part One. Statics	1	(64)
Matter	5	(16)
Mass	6	(5)
Substance	6	(1)
Demography	7	(3)
Inertia	10	(1)
Motion	11	(4)
Displacement	11	(1)
Movement	12	(1)
Momentum	13	(2)
Field	15	(6)
Charge	15	(2)
Influence	17	(1)
Relations	18	(3)
Energy	21	(18)
Mechanics	23	(3)
Potential	23	(1)
Mobility	24	(1)
Gravity	25	(1)
Thermics	26	(5)
Heat	26	(2)
Pressure	28	(2)
Action	30	(1)
Systemics	31	(8)
Structure	31	(2)
Institutions	33	(2)
Matergy	35	(4)
Life	39	(26)
Organic	42	(5)
Metabolism	42	(2)
Economy	44	(2)
Preservation	46	(1)
Informatic	47	(6)
Form	47	(2)
Culture	49	(3)
Knowledge	52	(1)
Cybernetic	53	(12)
Mind	53	(3)
Polity	56	(1)
Gaia	57	(8)
Part Two. Dynamics	65	(66)
Change	69	(18)
Force	70	(5)
Tele-action	70	(3)
Language	73	(1)
Alteration	74	(1)
Work	75	(4)
Dissipation	75	(1)
Labor	75	(3)
Utility	78	(1)
Power	79	(8)
Vigor	79	(1)
Potency	80	(2)
Control	82	(5)
Entropy	87	(16)
Erosion	88	(4)
Dust	88	(2)
Equality	90	(1)
Banality	91	(1)
Enervation	92	(4)
Waste	92	(1)
Poverty	93	(1)
Impotence	94	(2)
Deformation	96	(7)
Disorder	96	(1)
Freedom	97	(1)
Uniformity	98	(5)
Syntropy	103	(28)
Past	104	(6)
Cosmogony	104	(1)
Socialization	105	(2)
Genesis	107	(3)
Present	110	(6)
Complexity	110	(2)
Industrialization	112	(3)
Development	115	(1)
Future	116	(15)
Intelligence	116	(2)
Technology	118	(3)
Volition	121	(10)
Part Three. Dialectics	131	(96)
Causality	135	(20)
Reactions	137	(5)
Feedback	137	(1)
Reciprocity	138	(3)
Symmetry	141	(1)
Waves	142	(6)
Curves	142	(2)
Rhythms	144	(1)
Loops	145	(3)
Quanta	148	(7)
Leaps	148	(1)
Revolutions	149	(2)
Qwiffs	151	(4)
History	155	(22)
Chaos	158	(6)
Reversibility	158	(2)
Idiosyncracy	160	(1)
Turbulence	161	(3)
Cycles	164	(5)
Periodicity	164	(1)
Periods	165	(3)
Oscillations	168	(1)
Memory	169	(8)
Hysteresis	169	(2)
Intentionality	171	(2)
Relativity	173	(4)
Humanity	177	(28)
Atomism	180	(5)
Identity	180	(2)
Individuality	182	(2)
Conflict	184	(1)
Holism	185	(7)
Harmony	185	(3)
Community	188	(2)
Solidarity	190	(2)
Moralism	192	(13)
Justice	192	(3)
Responsibility	195	(2)
Wisdom	197	(8)
Conclusion	205	(22)
Model	207	(5)
Factors	208	(1)
Converters	209	(2)
Effects	211	(1)
Theory	212	(7)
Natural	214	(2)
Social	216	(2)
Mental	218	(1)
Paradigm	219	(8)
Analysis	221	(1)
Axiosis	222	(2)
Synthesis	224	(3)
Epilogue	227	(4)
Bibliography	231	(20)
Introduction	231	(2)
Statics	233	(5)
Matter	233	(1)
Energy	234	(1)
Life	235	(3)
Dynamics	238	(4)
Power	238	(1)
Entropy	239	(1)
Evolution	240	(2)
Dialectics	242	(5)
Causality	242	(2)
History	244	(1)
Humanity	245	(2)
Conclusion	247	(4)
Biographical Sketch of Paris Arnopoulos	251	(2)
Index	253