Peter and TOK, I see your point. I am not a philosopher, so please forgive my terminology. I am using the term 'determined' relative to 'Free Will' or 'Choice'. As I had indicated previously, I have formulated the First Principles of Physiology based on the reverse-engineering of evolution. Those principles must be adhered to, and for example I think that's why we return to the unicellular state over the course of the life cycle as the reference point, or 'point source' (actually, I don't think we leave it because it is necessary that we adhere to the ontologic origins of life). Perhaps comparison with Pauli Exclusion Principle would be helpful- there are 4 variables for calculating the spin on an electron; the first three are fixed, whereas the fourth one is probabilistic....I have expressed the idea that this is homologous with the First Principles of Physiology, negentropy and chemiosmosis being 'fixed', whereas homeostasis is probabilistic.  In biology, the term 'constrained' is often used, so perhaps that's more like what I am referring to. I would appeciate your thoughts. Best, John

On Tue, May 21, 2019 at 11:17 AM Peter Lloyd Jones <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

John, and TOK,

Thank for for your exceptionally thoughtful and inspiring note. I’m hopeful that you can continue to afford my questions. I am out of my ilk here. 

Can you please tell me if you think we might be using the term “determinism” or “deterministic" differently from each other? Events can have causes, and some events have definitive causes, but does that ever mean that the outcome is determined as in predetermined to only have one possible outcome.  

For example, a system of negentropy provides a predetermined type of result, as in the ordering of a solar system and, as you mentioned, the evolution of organisms. But can the specific results--how many planets are formed, how many of them are gas giants, and so forth--not remain beyond prediction and be not predetermined?  In other words, is there space between a "determined type” of result, such as an ordered solar system, and a specific result, such as planet Earth?

Thank you again for your patience with me,

Peter

Peter Lloyd Jones
[log in to unmask]
562-209-4080

Sent by determined causes that no amount of will is able to thwart. 

On May 21, 2019, at 9:57 AM, JOHN TORDAY <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Schrodinger, What is Life?

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