Systems for Survival: of Ecology, Morals and Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus)

摘要

Undisturbed Arctic charr populations in autonomous lakes in northern Canada, provide a reference system delineating the structures and behaviour contingent on stability and survival. Examination of the roots of moral behaviour by Jacobs (1992) reveals interesting correspondences with the basic biological dynamic. The origin and survival of organisms, it is hypothesized, is the result of interaction between two countervailing physical principles, one is the Principle of Least Action (the dissipation of energy as rapidly as possible), fundamental to modern physics, the other is a Principle of Most Action (energy capture and its retention for as long as possible). This principle is most readily apparent in biology. Action governs the overall process of energy transfer; its dimensions are energy times time. Application of these principles to living, interacting organisms results in a hierarchical structure. Asymmetric interaction between levels accelerates energy transfer (decreased action); but within hierarchical levels symmetric interaction is necessary for survival (increased action). A further prerequisite of survival is the dominance of the Most Action principle over 'succes-sional' or 'ecological' time; conversely, over 'evolutionary' time Least Action predominates.