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REVIEW article

Front. Netw. Physiol.
Sec. Information Theory
Volume 4 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnetp.2024.1361915
This article is part of the Research Topic Information Theory in Network Physiology: State of the Art and New Perspectives View all 5 articles

The constrained-disorder principle defines the functions of systems in nature

Provisionally accepted
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The Constrained Disorder Principle (CDP) defines all systems in nature by their degree of inherent variability. Per the CDP, the intrinsic variability is mandatory for their proper function and is dynamically changed based on pressures. The CDP defines the boundaries of inherent variability as a mechanism for continuous adaptation to internal and external perturbations, enabling survival and function under dynamic conditions. The laws of nature govern the world's natural phenomena and underlie the function of all systems. Nevertheless, the laws of physics do not entirely explain systems' functionality under pressure, which is essential for determining the correct operation of complex systems in nature. Variability and noise are two broad sources of inherent unpredictability in biology and technology. This paper explores how the CDP defines the function of systems and provides examples from various areas in nature where the CDP applies, including climate, genetic, biology, and human behavioral variabilities. According to the CDP, system malfunction results from inappropriate performance of the boundaries of inherent variability. The environment influences the physiological variability, and species interactions influence ecoevolutionary outcomes. The CDP defines human behavior as being driven by randomness and accounts for malfunctions and their corrections. The paper reviews variability-based CDP algorithms and CDP-based second-generation artificial intelligence systems and their potential for improving systems' prediction and efficiency by using variability.

    Keywords: variability, Complexity, law of physics, artificial intelligence, Abbreviations: CDP: constrained disorder principle, CV: coefficient of variation, AI: artificial intelligence, HRV: heart rate variability

    Received: 22 Jan 2024; Accepted: 21 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Ilan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Yaron Ilan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.