ABSTRACT

This book provides an accessible introduction to complex systems viewed as networks of automata, using primarily examples drawn from the physics of disordered systems, neural networks, and the origins of life. It is helpful for readers with a university education in science or engineering.

chapter One|5 pages

Introduction

chapter Two|15 pages

Definitions

chapter Three|10 pages

Cellular Automata

chapter Four|12 pages

Two-Dimensional Cellular Automata

chapter Five|14 pages

The Hopfield Model

chapter Six|17 pages

Beyond the Hopfield Model

chapter Seven|14 pages

Hidden Units

chapter Eight|19 pages

Statistical Physics

chapter Nine|16 pages

Simulated Annealing

chapter Ten|25 pages

Random Boolean Networks

chapter Eleven|18 pages

Genotypes and Phenotypes

chapter Twelve|8 pages

Conclusions