Mechanical vs Organic Evolution of the Universe

The evolution of the Universe in Physics is understood as the temporal evolution of the Universe as a system - the physical changes that should occur with the unidirectional flow of time, given currently known laws and assuming valid certain postulates or principles. This study, fascinating for its predictive precision of some phenomena, accounts for only part of evolution - what we might call the mechanical evolution of the Universe. In this writing, we provide indications and insights to approach the study of the missing part of evolution compared to that already codified by Physics, which we indicate as the organic evolution of the Universe.

The starting point of this investigation is the observation of two universal motions or impulses that are opposite and contemporary. While at a general observation on large scales the Universe seems to tend to disperse and cool toward a homogeneous thermal equilibrium, passing from a highly special state to a statistically common and indistinct state, on the other hand we witness an aggregation of progressive hierarchical structures that are increasingly specialized. Indeed, on Earth we witness the emergence of Human consciousness which, from an indistinct and nebulous state of possible absence of individual consciousness, seems to pass to a state so characteristic and special as to rise to self-consciousness and be able to question even the principles that govern the Universe itself.

Two Universes thus appear evident, coexisting one within the other. A mechanical Universe - a perfect mechanism governed by laws of absolute causality - and simultaneously, a living Universe - an organic system of distinct but interacting units that coordinate in hierarchical and increasingly evolved structures. We therefore witness two currents, two opposite and contemporary motions: one disintegrating, dissecting and death-bearing; another aggregating, constructive and vitalizing motion. Two motions identified by tradition as the flow and reflux of a single universal life.

What is Life?

Before being able to proceed in the rigorous definition of mechanical evolution and organic evolution of a system, we must preliminarily analyze what is meant by life and, consequently, the characteristics that a mechanism must have to distinguish itself from an organism.

For contemporary science there are three pillars that constitute the basis for being able to say that a system is alive: the presence of metabolism, the capacity for reproduction and the capacity for adaptation (being subject to evolution). To these three elements can be added an important element: the capacity for self-organization to which can also be associated self-regulation.

The metabolic activity of a self-organized system, together with its capacity for regeneration and evolution, generally characterize what we understand as a living being. A drop of ink that concentrated at the center of a glass of crystalline water without expanding would not be considered by us properly alive. However, if it resisted separation with sustained self-organization, had a metabolic rhythm, reproduced and evolved by adapting to the natural context around it, this would be sufficient, according to common sense, to admit its vitality.

We must not think that these four characteristics attributed to what is alive are particularly recent or original. If instead of modern terminology we use classical terminology, the self-organizational capacity of living beings was considered the main expression of their soul. The unity of the individual, the order among its organic components, the non-disintegration of body and psyche was the prerogative of the soul. This was, in classical terminology, the reality appointed to maintain organizational unity in organic and living systems.

In different terms from current ones, the idea of metabolism as a characteristic of life was detected from the idea of breath, to which is associated a vital energy - the prana of Hindus and theosophists. Since antiquity, breath has been identified as the main physiological correlate of life. Life begins with the first inhale and ends with the last exhale. This macroscopic activity that we experience every instant is reflected in a microscopic cellular activity - metabolism. Metabolism can be considered the biological essence of life. Movement and bodily activity, incessant molecular mixing, the balance of giving and receiving in chemical reactions...