Thermodynamics 2.0 Program: Sessions and Abstracts

Mon - Wed, June 22 - June 24 , 2020 , Massachusetts, USA

Session T05: Complex System

15:15-15:55. Monday June 22, 2020

Chair: Shabnam Mousavi

Title: The XXI Century Challenges and Complexity

Presenter:

  • Pier Luigi Gentili

(University of Perugia, Italy )

Bio-sketch

Pier Luigi Gentili received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Perugia in 2004. His research and teaching activities are focused on Complex Systems. He is author of the book titled “Untangling Complex Systems: A Grand Challenge for Science” published by CRC Press in 2018. Being aware that inanimate matter is driven by force-fields, whereas the interactions between biological systems are also information-based, Gentili is led by some questions like the following ones. “When does a chemical system become intelligent?” Is it possible to develop a “Chemical Artificial Intelligence?” For the Chemical Artificial Intelligence development, Pier Luigi Gentili relies upon the theory and tools of Natural Computing. In particular, he is tracing a new path in the field of Neuromorphic Engineering by using non-linear chemical systems and encoding information mainly through UV-visible signals. He is proposing methods to process Fuzzy logic by Molecular, Supramolecular, and Systems chemistry.

Author(s):

  • Pier Luigi Gentili

(University of Perugia, Italy )

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Abstract:T05.W154

Abstract

Scientific knowledge and technologies confer humans the power of perturbing the fragile stability of climate, ecosystems, and societies, and the delicate psychophysical well-being of every human. Humanity has to make smart and wise choices to get through the coming period of peril and opportunity. The challenges of the XXI century are global, and they regard Complex Systems. Examples of Complex Systems are living beings, ecosystems, macro-economy, societies, and the climate of the Earth. Current science is unable to describe the properties of Complex Systems exhaustively. In other words, it is not possible to predict the behavior of Complex Systems, especially in the long term. Why? There are different reasons:

  • First, Natural Complexity is linked to Computational Complexity: many of the computational problems regarding Complex Systems are solvable but intractable.
  • Second, Complex Systems exhibit variable patterns: variable patterns are hard to be recognized because their features depend on the context. In these situations, a Descriptive Complexity emerges.
  • Third, the predictive power of science has intrinsic limitations.

 

Our limitations in predictions make many ethical issues highly disputable. In particular, we can now manipulate life, but we ask ourselves if it is always fair to do what technology makes doable. These kinds of questions create a Bio-ethical Complexity. How can we win the XXI century challenges that regard Complex Systems? In this contribution, we propose a promising path to answer this compelling question.

 

Keywords: complex systems, thermodynamics, self-organization, natural and social sciences