APS and Autonomy Theory

Abstract

Autonomy theory has played a central role in re-grounding biology in organisational terms, particularly through the concept of closure of constraints. APS shares these commitments but introduces additional distinctions concerning scale, diagnosis, and evolutionary continuity. This article clarifies their relationship.

Key Points

APS shares core commitments with autonomy theory.
APS distinguishes constitution, diagnosis, and evolution.
APS formalises scale without hierarchy.
APS extends autonomy into evolutionary explanation.
APS stabilises the explanatory grammar of autonomy theory.

(Part of the series: APS and Contemporary Theories)

Shared Foundations

Autonomy theory established that living systems are constraint-closed organisations.

APS builds directly on this.

Key Clarifications

APS introduces:

distinction between definition and diagnosis
explicit treatment of scale
integration with evolutionary explanation

Not Rebranding

APS is not autonomy renamed.

It is a structural clarification and extension.

Key Point

APS stands in continuity with autonomy theory but formalises its explanatory architecture and extends it across scale and evolution.

Key Points

Shared Foundations

Key Clarifications

Not Rebranding

Key Point

See Also

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