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Re-Mapping Robert Rosen's (M,R) Systems This publication appears in: Chemistry & Biodiversity Authors: R. Cottam, W. Ranson and R. Vounckx Volume: 4 Issue: 10 Pages: 2352-2368 Publication Date: Oct. 2007
Abstract: The central concern of this paper is to re-evaluate Rosen s replicating (M,R)-systems, presented in his book -Life Itself-, where M and R signify metabolism and repair, respectively. We look anew at Rosen s model of an organism in the light of extensive research into natural hierarchical systems, and the paper presents conclusions drawn from a comparison between Rosen s relational model and that of a birational complementary natural hierarchy. We accept that Rosen s relational model provided provides a useful stepping stone to understanding the nature of life, but also suggest that it induces potentially digressive conclusions. We conclude that a binary segregation of relational assemblies into mechanisms and organisms is insufficient, and indicate how a threefold segregation throws new light on Rosen s model. An organism is not -the complement of a mechanism-: the complement of a mechanism is its ecosystem. An organism is the -complex interface- between mechanism and ecosystem.
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