Diverse Universe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2316-770X.2015.2747Keywords:
Biodiversity, Complexity, SimplicityAbstract
Diversity is trivial in the universe. Even the most casual observer is able to perceive the triviality of certain physical and biological objects. Understanding the causes of diversity is a completely different matter. Curiosity and doubt are the ingredients that feed the will to know, though will is not enough: it must come along with theories to guide the acquisition of scientific knowledge. Not that this knowledge is superior to common sense; it is just different. The difference is that we cannot trust our senses to understand complex problems from a scientific perspective. Theory allows us to refrain from the torrent of information we receive visually so that we can capture the simplicity underlying the phenomena that seem complex. Complexity is hardly understood through theories or complex models. Fortunately, we may expect simple solutions and generalizations that can be obtained by the analysis of a particular phenomenon expressed through similar occurrences, which are repeated at different spatial and temporal scales. The occurrence and distribution of biodiversity on our planet is expressed through patterns. The description of such patterns is the first step to understand biodiversity. Then it is necessary to investigate which factors are responsible for these expressed patterns.
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