Contents -- List of Tables -- Preface (Stephen Barker) -- Foreword (Sylvan von Berg) -- Acknowledgments -- List of Abbreviations -- Part One: Introduction -- Chapter One. Introduction-The Challenge of Complexity. -- 1.1. The Enticing Fad about Complexity -- 1.2. Intractability in Computational Complexity Theory -- 1.3. The Theoretical Debate -- 1.4. The Dialectic Theory of Complexity -- 1.5. Theory and Meta-Theory -- 1.6. The Ontology of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.1. The Conception of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.2. The Pragmatics of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.2.1. The Theoretical Application of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.2.2. The Further Application of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.2.3. Direct and Indirect Applications of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.3. The Syntax of Existential Dialectics -- 1.6.4. The Semantics of Existential Dialectics -- 1.7. Sophisticated Methodological Holism -- 1.8. Chapter Outline -- 1.9. Five Clarifications -- Part Two: Nature -- Chapter Two. Natural Complexity -- 2.1. The Awe of Nature -- 2.2. Complexity and Chemistry -- 2.2.1. Local Heating and Bernard Convection -- 2.2.1.1. Non-Linear Convection Cells -- 2.2.1.2. The Challenge of Meteorology -- 2.2.2. Diastereoisomerism and Dynamic Conformation -- 2.2.2.1. Complex Chemical Properties -- 2.2.2.2. The Search for Application -- 2.3. Complexity and Micro-Physics -- 2.3.1. Subatomic Particles and Probability Distributions -- 2.3.1.1. The Uncertainty Principle -- 2.3.1.2. The Bohr-Einstein Debate -- 2.3.2. Weather Systems and the Butterfly Effect -- 2.3.2.1. An Advance in Chaos Theory -- 2.3.2.2. The Fad of Chaos Theory -- 2.4. Complexity and Macro-Physics (Cosmology) -- 2.4.1. Galaxy Clustering and Fractal Distributions -- 2.4.1.1. Fractal vs. Guassian Distributions -- 2.4.1.2. An Unanswered Question -- 2.4.2. Chaotic Inflation and the Big Bang.

2.4.2.1. A History of Three Cosmological Theories -- 2.4.2.1.1. Classical Inflationary Theory -- 2.4.2.1.2. New Inflationary Theory -- 2.4.2.1.3. Chaotic Inflationary Theory -- 2.4.2.2. Some Critical Questions -- 2.5. The Perplexity of Natural Complexity -- Part Three: The Mind -- Chapter Three. Mental Complexity -- 3.1. The Wonder of the Mind -- 3.2. Complexity and Biology -- 3.2.1. The Evolution of Life, and Autocatalytic Set -- 3.2.1.1. Earth-Centric and Extra-Terrestrial Models -- 3.2.1.1.1. Earth-Centric -- 3.2.1.1.2. Extra-Terrestrial -- 3.2.1.2. Begging the Question Somehow -- 3.2.2. The Evolution of Language, and Bifurcation -- 3.2.2.1. The Evolution of Six Languages -- 3.2.2.1.1. Speech -- 3.2.2.1.2. Writing and Math -- 3.2.2.1.3. Science -- 3.2.2.1.4. Computing -- 3.2.2.1.5. The Internet -- 3.2.2.2. Four Main Problems -- 3.2.2.2.1. Misleading -- 3.2.2.2.2. Exaggerating -- 3.2.2.2.3. Reductionistic -- 3.2.2.2.4. Poor in Explanation -- 3.3. Complextiy and Psychology -- 3.3.1. Neural Networks and Connectionism -- 3.3.1.1. Connectionism -- 3.3.1.2. Challenging Problems to Be Resolved -- 3.3.2. Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems and Artificial Intelligence -- 3.3.2.1. Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems -- 3.3.2.2. The Lucas-Penrose Argument -- 3.3.2.2.1. Undecidability -- 3.3.2.2.2. Bremermann's Fundamental Limit -- 3.3.2.2.3. Transcomputability -- 3.3.2.3. Some Problems with Mathematical Intuition -- 3.4. The Enigma of Mental Complexity -- Part Four: Society -- Chapter Four. Societal Complexity -- 4.1. The Impact of Societal Complexity -- 4.2. Complexity and Social Organizations -- 4.2.1. Sheer Complexity and Normal Accidents -- 4.2.1.1. The Crash of ValuJet 592 -- 4.2.1.2. A Challenging Question -- 4.2.2. Organizational Anarchy and Garbage Can Model -- 4.2.2.1. The Four Stages in Classical Theory -- 4.2.2.1.1. The "Problems" Stage.

4.2.2.1.2. The "Solutions" Stage -- 4.2.2.1.3. The "Choice Opportunities" Stage -- 4.2.2.1.4. The "Participation" Stage -- 4.2.2.2. Some Criticisms -- 4.3. Complexity and Social Institutions -- 4.3.1. Multiform Interactions and Spontaneous Order -- 4.3.1.1. Non-Linear and Discontinuous Economic Reality -- 4.3.1.2. The Danger of Ideological Contamination -- 4.3.2. Random Walk Hypothesis and the Financial Markets -- 4.3.2.1. The Random Walk Hypothesis -- 4.3.2.2. The Alternative Explanation in Behavioral Finance -- 4.4. Complexity and Social Structure -- 4.4.1. Social Segregation and the Macro-Micro Interactions -- 4.4.1.1. A Simulation of Residential Segregation -- 4.4.1.2. Some Weaknesses in Social Simulation -- 4.4.2. Norms and Social Inequality in Abstract Games -- 4.4.2.1. "Blind Aggression" and "Finders-Keeper" -- 4.4.2.2. Advantages and Disadvantages in Social Simulation -- 4.5. Complexity and Social Systems -- 4.5.1. Cellular Automaton and Complex Systems -- 4.5.1.1. Rule 110 Cellular Automaton -- 4.5.1.2. Some Serious Problems -- 4.5.1.2.1. Not Fair to Other Scholars -- 4.5.1.2.2. Highly Exaggerating -- 4.5.1.2.3. Not as Good as PRAM -- 4.5.1.2.4. Misleadingly Reductionistic -- 4.5.2. Artificial Society and Social Simulation -- 4.5.2.1. The Varieties of Agent-Based Models -- 4.5.2.1.1. Abstract vs. Descriptive -- 4.5.2.1.2. Artificial vs. Realistic -- 4.5.2.1.3. Positive vs. Normative -- 4.5.2.1.4. Spatial vs. Network -- 4.5.2.1.5. Complicated vs. Simple -- 4.5.2.2. Advantages and Disadvantages -- 4.5.2.2.1. Advantages -- 4.5.2.2.2. Disadvantages -- 4.6. The Uncertainty of Societal Complexity -- Part Five: Culture -- Chapter Five. Cultural Complexity -- 5.1. The Appeal of Cultural Complexity -- 5.2. Complexity and Religion -- 5.2.1. Specified Complexity and Divine Design -- 5.2.1.1. The Case of "Contact".

5.2.1.2. The Flawed Logic of the Process by Elimination -- 5.2.2. Self-Organization and Evolution -- 5.2.2.1. Emergent Order -- 5.2.2.2. Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics -- 5.2.2.3. A Critical Evaluation -- 5.3. Complexity and Morality -- 5.3.1. Free Will and Incomplete Information -- 5.3.1.1. A Cross-Cultural Comparison -- 5.3.1.2. Compatibilism and Incompatiblism -- 5.3.1.3. Free Will and Ignorance in Complexity Theory -- 5.3.1.4. Cultural Contingency -- 5.3.2. Moral Reciprocity, and the Emergent World Order -- 5.3.2.1. The Western Humanist Perspective -- 5.3.2.2. Moral Reciprocity -- 5.3.2.3. A Rebuttal -- 5.4. Complexity and Epistemology -- 5.4.1. Emergentism and Reductionism -- 5.4.2. Problem Shifts, and Complex Justificationism -- 5.4.2.1. Falsificationism -- 5.4.2.2. Paradigm Shifts -- 5.4.2.3. Research Programs -- 5.4.2.4. Complex Justificationism -- 5.4.2.5. A Critical Assessment -- 5.5. Complexity and Aesthetics -- 5.5.1. Beauty and Fractal Attractors -- 5.5.1.1. The Golden Mean -- 5.5.1.2. Experimental Aesthetics -- 5.5.1.3. The Danger of Reductionism -- 5.5.2. Adaptational Complexity, and the Beauty of Wholeness -- 5.5.2.1. Qualitative Value -- 5.5.2.2. The Good of Wholeness -- 5.5.2.3. Geometric Properties of Space -- 5.5.2.4. Deep Adaptation -- 5.5.2.5. Adaptational Complexity in Architecture -- 5.5.2.6. Some Challenging Criticisms -- 5.6. The Myth of Cultural Complexity -- Part Six: Conclusion -- Chapter Six. Conclusion-The Future of Complexity -- 6.1. The Future of a Fad -- 6.2. 1st Thesis-The Partiality-Totality Principle -- 6.2.1. Methodological Reductionism -- 6.2.2. Ontological Reductionism -- 6.3. 2nd Thesis-The Order-Chaos Principle -- 6.4. 3rd Thesis-The Regression-Progression Principle -- 6.5. 4th Thesis-The Predictability-Unpredictability Principle -- 6.6. 5th Thesis-The Post-Human Response -- 6.7. An Epilogue.

Bibliography -- Index.