Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to provide fundamental material about life and society (definition, evolution, etc), starting with a brief presentation of cell biology, DNA/RNA, protein synthesis, and a list of the principal discoveries about DNA and RNA. The meaning of “society” is discussed, followed by the life evolution on earth, and the evolution of human society (physical, vital, and mental stages). The common fundamental elements (pillars) of life and society which are studied in this book, namely: energy, information, feedback, adaptation, and self-organization are briefly introduced. As a supplement, this chapter includes a short outline of some purely societal fundamental elements which are encountered in humanity studies. These elements are: (i) pillars of democracy, (ii) pillars of fulfilled living, and (iii) pillars of sustainable development.
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.
Zeno of Elea (490–435 B.C.)
The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
Bertrand Russel
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Notes
- 1.
(*) The term “biology” comes from the Greek “Βίος” (bios = life) and “λόγος” (logos = speech/study), (**) All web sources and references were collected during the writing of the book. Since then, some of the urls may not be valid due to change or removal.
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Tzafestas, S.G. (2018). Life and Human Society: The Five Fundamental Elements. In: Energy, Information, Feedback, Adaptation, and Self-organization. Intelligent Systems, Control and Automation: Science and Engineering, vol 90. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66999-1_1
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