Based on the provided sources, the relationship between hierarchy, non-ergodicity, speciation, causality, and constraint is framed within a rigorous distinction between physicodynamic natural processes (Chance and Necessity) and formal bio-cybernetic controls (Choice).
David L. Abel’s work untangles these concepts by placing them on opposite sides of the “Cybernetic Cut”—the divide between physical laws and formal controls. Here is the relationship between these terms according to the sources:
1. Causality and Constraint (The Physicodynamic Baseline)
The foundation of the relationship begins with Physicodynamic Determinism, often referred to as “Necessity.”
• Constraint: Constraints are the physical limitations imposed by the laws of nature and initial conditions[1][2]. They limit degrees of freedom (e.g., gravity, chemical valency) but are blind to function. Constraints produce self-ordering (like a crystal or a vortex), but they cannot produce organization because they lack the ability to make choices[3].
• Causality (Physicodynamic): This is cause-and-effect determinism. It produces highly ordered, low-information states (like a repeating polyadenosine chain)[4]. It is incapable of generating the sophisticated, non-repetitive sequencing found in genomes.
• The Problem: Pure physical constraints and causality lead to either redundant order or chaos. They cannot steer events toward a goal (utility) because inanimate nature has no goals[5].
2. Non-Ergodicity (The Failure of Chance)
If constraints (laws) cannot build life, could Chance do it? This is where non-ergodicity becomes critical.
• Definition: An ergodic system visits all possible states over time. Life-origin scenarios are non-ergodic because the “phase space” (all possible combinations of amino acids or nucleotides) is too vast to be explored within the timeframe and material resources of the universe[6][7].
• Significance: Because the search space is statistically prohibitive (e.g., only one functional protein in 1077 random sequences)[6], chance cannot stumble upon functional complexity. Therefore, a random walk (Chance) combined with physical constraints (Necessity) cannot explain the origin of life.
3. Hierarchy (The Architecture of Control)
To escape the deadlock of Chance and Necessity, Abel introduces Control via Choice Contingency. This creates a hierarchy of causation.
• The Cybernetic Cut: This is the boundary separating the physical world (constraints) from the formal world (controls). Life requires traversing this cut[8][9].
• Hierarchical Structure:
◦ Bottom Level: Physicodynamic constraints (mass/energy interactions). ◦ Top Level: Formal Controls (Choice Contingency). Controls are “non-physical” rules that govern physical switches[10]. • The Relationship: Controls (formalism) govern constraints (physicality). For example, a physical logic gate (constraint) is set to “on” or “off” by a programming choice (control) to achieve a computational result[11][12]. This establishes the Formalism > Physicality (F > P) Principle[13].
4. Speciation (The Limit of Natural Selection)
Finally, speciation is addressed to distinguish between the origin of the hierarchy and its maintenance/diversification.
• Evolution vs. Abiogenesis: Speciation results from Natural Selection, which is the differential survival of already-existing living organisms[14][15].
• The Disconnect: Natural selection is a passive, eliminative process that occurs after the cybernetic hierarchy is established. It cannot select for “potential” function (molecular evolution); it can only favor “existing” function[16][17].
• Conclusion: Speciation explains the diversity of life (post-Cybernetic Cut) but cannot explain the origin of the controls (Choice Causation) required to cross the cut in the first place.
Summary of the Relationship
| Concept | Role in Abel’s Framework | Relationship to Others |
|---|---|---|
| Constraint | Physical laws/Initial conditions. | Limits physical outcomes but cannot organize them. Distinct from Control. |
| Non-Ergodicity | Statistical prohibitiveness. | Proves that Chance cannot overcome Constraints to create life; requires Choice. |
| Causality | Two types: Physicodynamic (blind) vs. Choice (goal-oriented). | Physicodynamic causality is ruled by Constraint; Choice causality creates Hierarchy. |
| Hierarchy | The stratification of reality. | Formal Controls (top) govern Physical Constraints (bottom) via configurable switches. |
| Speciation | Biological diversification. | Occurs within the established hierarchy (after life exists); irrelevant to the origin of Causality or Control. |
**In short:**Constraints and Non-ergodic chance prevent matter from self-organizing. To overcome this, a new type of Causality (Choice) is required to establish a Hierarchy of control. Speciation is merely the later tuning of this established hierarchy, not its creator.
References
[1] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [2] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [3] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [4] Abel - Complexity self-organization and emergence at the edge of chaos in life origin models.pdf [5] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [6] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [7] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [8] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [9] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [10] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [11] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [12] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [13] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [14] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [15] Abel - Constraints vs Controls.pdf [16] Abel - Assembly theory in life-origin models a critical review.pdf [17] Abel - The Three Fundamental Categories of Reality.pdf