Neural network properties of hydrophilic polymers as a key for development of the general theory of evolution

Abstract

The analysis of the existing literature demonstrates that in order to address the fundamental challenges associated with the origin of life, it is essential to consider this problem from a comprehensive perspective, specifically from the vantage point of the general theory of evolution of complex systems. From these positions, life should be regarded as a distinctive instance of an information storage and processing system that emerges naturally. Evolutionary processes should be examined from the vantage point of the coevolution of material and informational components, which has not been sufficiently emphasized hitherto. It is shown that a specific example in this respect is analogues of neural networks spontaneously formed in solutions of some hydrophilic polymers. Such systems lead to the formation of non-trivial information objects. A wide range of other examples is considered, proving that the processes occurring with the participation of hydrophilic polymers should be interpreted, among other things, from the point of view of formation of information objects, which, under certain conditions, influence the processes occurring at the molecular and supramolecular level. It is shown that it is reasonable to use the tools of classical dialectics to solve such fundamental problems as that of the origin of life.