Abstract
To Simulate or Not to Simulate: A Problem of Minimising Functional Logical Depth
I define a new measure of complexity called functional logical depth and apply the measure to specify the levels of description at which, for the purposes of creating artificial life, it may be most appropriate to simulate the temporal evolution of classes of real living organisms. According to the approach outlined here, when the functional logical depth of particular information transforming relationships in such a simulation is minimised, the more complex transforms which typify life appear from the simpler relationships as emergent properties. I situate this view within a context of computational convenience and evolutionary plausibility and discuss implications for developing genetic algorithms and for evaluating various arguments about levels of description in living systems.
|
