Ahmed, A. Karim. “Causality, Chaos, and Consciousness: Steps Toward a Normative Cosmological Principle in an Evolving Universe.” Process Studies 27, no. 3-4 (Fall-Winter 1998): 255-266.

Abstract

The intent of this paper is to present a conceptual model of a physical and biological universe in a state of constant change and evolution, based on three principal ideas: (a) neo-Aristotelian notions of reciprocal causality, (b) chaotic dynamics and contingencies of self-organizing systems, and (c) emergence of consciousness and sense of moral purpose in humans. While these different ideas and conceptual frameworks may seem unrelated at first glance, it will be shown that they have certain common and interconnected features that are quite illuminating for developing a process- and ecologically-based ontology of an evolving universe. It is hoped that such an approach would lead to an articulation of a normative cosmological principle that is consistent with Alfred North Whitehead's organismic metaphysics and process-based ontology, as extensively developed in Process and Reality.