From Cosmos to Chaos

Abstract

In a naïve view, nature is an unpredictable complex system that exhibits diverse aspects. However, there might be an “order” beneath the superficial complexity of various phenomena. If so, how can we discover the order hidden under all the complexities? If we can find an order, we will be able to foresee various phenomena and utilize the power of nature. For a long time, such an expectation (or an optimistic speculation) has been giving incentives to explore science. The universe is called “cosmos.” This word, being synonymous with order, symbolizes our basic posture of seeing nature. The purpose of science is to read and understand the order that is written, in a logical language, in the grand book of nature. However, contemporary science sees the universe as “chaos,” which is the condition before order is imposed. In this chapter, we shall discuss why our view of nature has metamorphosed from order to chaos.