Darwin'S Unfinished Business: The Self-Organizing Intelligence of Nature

Description

. Refutes the orthodox view of evolution as a mindless process driven by chance . Explains why context is more important than mutation in evolutionary innovation . Shows how, by recognizing Nature's innovative and creative powers, we can overcome our social and environmental challenges with a new green science of evolution Darwin's theory of evolution is undoubtedly one of the most important scientific ideas of the modern age, explaining the existence of both life and consciousness without recourse to divine intervention. Yet how do we interpret evolution? How do we evaluate the ability of Nature to engineer something as exquisite as the genetic code or the human brain? Could it be that evolution is an intelligent process? Is Nature smart? According to most scientists, the answer is no. While humanity may be intelligent and purposeful, the natural processes that crafted us are deemed to be devoid of such attributes. In a radical move away from orthodoxy, Simon G. Powell extends Darwin's vision by showing that evolution is not just about the survival of the fittest but rather the survival of clever and sensible behaviour. Revealing the importance of the context in which things evolve, he explores the intelligent learning process behind natural selection. Rich with examples of the incredibly complex plants, animals, insects, and marine life designed by Nature--from the carnivorous Venus flytrap and the fungus-farming leafcutter ant to the symbiotic microbes found inside the common cow--he shows Nature as a whole to be a system of self-organizing intelligence in which life and consciousness are always destined to emerge. Examining the origins of life and the failure of artificial intelligence to compete with natural intelligence, he explains how our scientifically narrow-minded views on intelligence are now acting as a barrier to our own evolution. As Darwin's unfinished business comes to light and Nature's intelligence is embraced, we learn that Nature's agenda is not simply the replication of genetic matter but of expanding consciousness. By working with Nature's creative and innovative powers instead of against them, we can address today's social and environmental challenges with a new green science of evolution.

Simon G. Powell is a writer, musician, and filmmaker. He is the author of The Psilocybin Solution and the director/presenter of the film documentary Metanoia: A New Vision of Nature. He lives in London.

"Simon G. Powell forcefully but gently demonstrates that intelligence (modes of being that acquire information, learn, and meaningfully respond to larger contexts) is intrinsic to our natural world. People who deny the intelligence of the living (microbes, plants, other animals) are abysmally, indeed dangerously, ignorant. They literally ignore our ultimate, planetwide sources of joy, air, water, food, and energy. Read this informative, science-packed, yet accessible book and enjoy its wisdom." * Lynn Margulis, author of Symbiotic Planet, member of National Academy of Sciences, and professor at * "By working with nature's creative and innovative powers instead of against them, we can address today's social and environmental challenges with a new green science of evolution." * Gaia Media Group, January 2012 * "...you'll see nature - and evolution - in an entirely new light." * Brita Belli, E Magazine * "So why is this book important? Because in this age of ecological crisis, we need to understand how nature works...By understanding the system of natural intelligence accessibly laid out by Simon Powell, we can better understand how to work with nature and address current and future environmental challenges head on. A fascinating and profound read that will change the way you look at the world around you." * Merikah Robertson, Common Ground Magazine * "Important, clever, disturbing, and profound. In Darwin's Unfinished Business, Simon G. Powell makes a major contribution to the emerging new paradigm of reality." * Graham Hancock, author of Fingerprints of the Gods and Supernatural * "A treasure trove of interesting material." * Edward Goldsmith, eco-author and founder of The Ecologist *