Another take on Darwinism & the Dynamics of Change (From the Archive)
Richard Watson works at the Institute for Life Sciences in the Department of Computer Science (Agents, Interaction and Complexity group) at the University of Southampton. Agential Biology Institute (CSO). Richard is a scientist, academic lecturer, and author with expertise links evolutionary biology and computer science with a desire for personal and societal well-being.
We’re replaying older episodes till Spring, at which time we will be back with new episodes.
This is a replay of an earlier conversation with Richard Watson (which was already an unpublished conversation we’d had earlier, so there’s lots of nesting here). Initially focusing on Universal Darwinism and its limitations, the discussion evolves into a broader examination of alternative mechanisms like learning and mutual transformative change. Andrea Hiott and Richard delve into nuanced definitions of individuality and agency, challenging the reductionist view in favor of a more integrative approach. They explore the intersection of science and subjectivity, positing that love, characterized as ‘deeply vulnerable mutual knowing,’ plays a critical role in understanding relationships and evolutionary processes. This conversation highlights the dynamic interplay of biological systems and the potential for a more compassionate and creative understanding of life’s complexity.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:27 Andrea’s Reflections and Richard Watson’s Work00:56 Defining Individual and Body01:14 Evolutionary Units and Mutual Transformative Change01:41 Academic Ideas on Evolution and Cognition03:27 Richard Watson’s Background and Research05:22 Natural Selection and Adaptation12:02 Learning Processes vs. Natural Selection21:08 Cooperation and Competition in Biology28:53 Individuality and Agency in Living Systems39:20 Bioelectricity and Gene Expression40:51 The Bidirectional Relationship of Cells and Genes41:34 The Limits of Natural Selection42:55 Love as a Scientific Concept47:06 Evolutionary Algorithms and Their Shortcomings50:00 The Evolution of Cooperation and Individuality54:09 The Role of Love in Evolution59:25 The Dance of Relationships and Resonance01:07:33 The Creative Process of Evolution01:18:01 The Balance of Love and Fear
First conversation:
Another conversation with Richard and Andrea:
