Return to Complex Systems

QUOTE 35 from:
Heylighen, F. (1988) 'Building a Science of Complexity'. Available from: http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/papers/BuildingComplexity.html; accessed on 7/05/05

'The usefulness of this distinction between recombination and mutation resides in the fact that these processes can in general be separated : they happen on a different time scale, and have effects on different levels of the complex. If the substructure is intrinsically very stable, then the process of mutation will be very rare or unlikely, whereas the process of recombination may happen continuously without affecting the survival of the substructure.
Both processes however lead to variation which in turn may lead to new, selectively retained substructures. In the case of recombination these new structures will appear on the level of the larger system of which the original substructure forms only a part. In the case of mutation the new structures will themselves be parts of the original substructure. Both processes may have an effect on the further maintenance of the original substructure.

Return to Complex Systems