Physical Conditions for the Stability of Evolutionary Change

This paper examines evolution from a physical perspective, identifying the conditions that allow ordered biological systems to persist while undergoing incremental change. Building on Schrödinger’s analysis of hereditary stability, the work argues that evolutionary processes depend on three general physical features—coherence, continuity, and constraint. These features maintain ordered relational structure under perturbation, ensure uninterrupted generative activity, and limit viable directions of variation. The manuscript develops a conceptual model showing how evolutionary transitions can be understood as reorganizations of relational structure within a bounded stability domain. The approach offers an incremental, physics‑first clarification of the physical requirements underlying evolutionary change.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-10-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23307504
Primary Topic
Philosophy and History of Science
Type
preprint
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preprint

Physical Conditions for the Stability of Evolutionary Change

Denis Bailey
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Philosophy and History of Science
preprint

Physical Conditions for the Stability of Evolutionary Change

Denis Bailey
preprint en

Abstract

This paper examines evolution from a physical perspective, identifying the conditions that allow ordered biological systems to persist while undergoing incremental change. Building on Schrödinger’s analysis of hereditary stability, the work argues that evolutionary processes depend on three general physical features—coherence, continuity, and constraint. These features maintain ordered relational structure under perturbation, ensure uninterrupted generative activity, and limit viable directions of variation. The manuscript develops a conceptual model showing how evolutionary transitions can be understood as reorganizations of relational structure within a bounded stability domain. The approach offers an incremental, physics‑first clarification of the physical requirements underlying evolutionary change.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Philosophy and History of Science
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