- Hardcover: 220 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford (18 Sep 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0198507267
- ISBN-13: 978-0198507260
- Product Dimensions: 24.9 x 19 x 2 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,951,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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The exact scientific answer to these ancient questions are indispensable preconditions for the understanding of the origins of life, for the artificial synthesis of living systems, but also for some important social problems, such as the beginning and the end of the human life etc. Professor Gánti offers a radically novel approach to the problem: based on his theory of fluid (chemical) automata he proves that all living systems are basically program controlled self-reproducing fluid automata and that such automata behave as living systems. The simplest such construction-the chemoton-behaves as living, and all living systems have chemoton type organisation. This means that the chemoton model is the minimum model of life. The technical details have been published elsewhere: in this volume the logical train of though is presented in a clear and easily understandable manner. The first part gives a general view of the idea; the second shows its application to the biogenesis, the third gives the background of the theory in the natural philosophy of sciences. Gánti's chemical perspective captures the fundamentally cyclic organization of the living state, offers a fresh approach to the ancient problem of life criteria", and articulates a philosophy of the units of life applicable to genetics, chemistry, evolutionary biology, and exact theoretical biology" New essays by Eörs Szathmáry and James Griesemer on the biological and philosophical significance of Gánti's work indicate its enduring theoretical significance, continuing relevance and heuristic power. New notes throughout the text bring this legacy into dialogue with current thought in biology and philosophy.
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4 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Very clear and impressive analysis of the origin of life
2 Jan 2004
Format:Hardcover
I am enthusiastic about this book. For the first time I have the feeling that I understand the origin of life problem. I wished I had had Gánti as a teacher. He is a genius and a gifted populariser of science. This book is a translation of the 1971 Hungarian edition and makes Gánti's insights for the first time available to the rest of the world. The footnotes of the editors significantly enhance the value of the book. I hope that a publisher soon will produce a paperback edition of this important work, especially because the book has been written for the specialist and the non-specialist. For a full review see the web site Was Darwin Wrong? including a comparison with other books on the origin of life.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
important contribution
13 Dec 2003
Format:Hardcover
"what ist life?" Schrödinger asked over 50 years ago. This book brings new light to this neglected topic now. Ganti lists five real (absolute) life criteria: - inherent unity, - metabolism, - inherent stability, - informatiion-carrying subsystem, - program control. In addition he lists three potential life criteria: - growth and reproduction, - capability of heredity change and evolution, - mortality. His criterias are interesting, but I miss a presentation of finding of other researchers.
A brilliant diamond
14 Aug 2008
Format:Hardcover
The Principles of Life, by Tibor Ganti is a brilliant diamond sparkling in a river bed of dark gravel. Published in 1971 in Hungarian. It remained unknown to all, but his Hungarian students. Thirty-seven years of astounding advances in molecular biology have passed since publication, yet Ganti's book remains as relevant and profoundly insightful today, as the day it was published. Written in a style that flows effortlessly through the mind. It provides deep insights into questions about the organization of living systems. Paragraph by paragraph, he develops his Chemoton theory. Then, with his theory in hand, he walks though the forest of ideas surrounding the origin of life. Slicing through the seemingly unknowable. Laying it bare, for anyone to see. I feel like Ganti grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, and shook me awake. He made me see a new, chemical way, of looking at the problems of the origin of life. Each paragraph raised thought provoking ideas, that had me pondering for hours. The excellent margin notes by Szathmary and Griesemer added depth, clarity, and historical context to Ganti's thoughts. Reining him in when he stepped too far, and bringing up relevant issues from the latest research, that either supported, or challenged his ideas.
After I finished the book. And having gotten a good grasp of his Chemoton theory. I immediately began reading it again, to re-experience the secret delight I felt, the first time I read it. How often has that happen to you?
I consider Ganti's book to be essential reading for anyone interested in the origin of life story. And mandatory reading for those who will go on to read Ganti's magnum opus, Chemoton Theory, the next book on my reading list.
After I finished the book. And having gotten a good grasp of his Chemoton theory. I immediately began reading it again, to re-experience the secret delight I felt, the first time I read it. How often has that happen to you?
I consider Ganti's book to be essential reading for anyone interested in the origin of life story. And mandatory reading for those who will go on to read Ganti's magnum opus, Chemoton Theory, the next book on my reading list.
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