Biología de la vida y la conciencia: a propósito de Darwin

Resumen

Biology of life and consciousness: on Darwin

One important feature of the theory of complexity is the explanation of emergent properties and common features that occur, no matter the trait under study. In the present paper I give support to the thesis that in order to reproduce materialistically any emergent property; we need to know in detail the corresponding physical, chemical and biological properties of the corresponding complex feature, properties that cannot be abstracted. For instance, to synthesize life or to build a brain we need to know the molecules and chemical reactions of prebiotic chemistry or the neurons and brain organization. This knowledge should be added to the theoretical one that shows us the commonalities that are present in the generation of emergent properties, in this case two complex features, life and brain. The theory of evolution as a framework constitutes a good example of integration between the theory of complexity and the nature of the material components of complex traits in the explanation of how emergent properties may have arisen.

Key words. Origin of life, consciousness, qualia, emergence, complexity, computer simulation, artificial intelligence, algorithm.