Order and Disorder / Edition 1

by David Rich

Overview

After critiquing chaos, catastrophe, and complexity theories, showing their limitations in the contemporary era, Rich furthers the development of crisis theory and applies the crisis theory approach to biological and social evolution. Treating evolution in the context of crisis theory, he shows that as evolution is both genetic and social, social evolution is an extension of biological evolution. As physical evolution results from problem solving, social evolution develops from the solving of historically significant problems, bringing about, for instance, the post-World War II era of knowledge. In this context, Rich discusses the problems of our era, with an emphasis on the paradox of industrialization and its consequences for wealthy and poor nations alike. The paradox of industrialization is approached in terms of crisis theory and resolved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275967871
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/28/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.75(d)
Lexile:	1580L (what's this?)

About the Author

DAVID Z. RICH is an economic consultant, independent researcher, and freelance writer. His earlier books include The Economic Theory of Growth and Development (Praeger, 1994) and Crisis Theory (Praeger, 1997).

Table of Contents

The Problem Situation
The Illusion of a Paradox
Complexity Theory: Comments and Critique
Chaos Theory: Comments and Critique
René Thom's Catastrophe Theory: Comments and Critique
The Dynamics of Crisis Theory
Introduction
Comments on Game Theory
Introduction to Crisis Theory
Order and Disorder: I-Crisis Theory
Order and Disorder: II-Dynamics and Discontinuity
Acceptance and rejection:The Critical Test
Order and Disorder
Introduction
Crisis Theory and the Strategy of Evolution
Order and Disorder in Our Contemporary Era
Order and Disorder in Our Contemporary Era: The Paradox of Industrialization
Concluding Comments: The Ethical Imperative-Dollo's law and Crisis Theory
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Economic consultant Rich wades into the realm of philosophy of science, considering such elements as the illusion of a paradox; complexity, chaos, catastrophe, and crisis theory; dynamics and discontinuity; the strategy of evolution; the paradox of industrialization; and the ethical imperative. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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