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Life's Complex Specified Information Is a Kind of Value.

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Title: Life's Complex Specified Information Is a Kind of Value.
Authors: Keas, Michael N. (AUTHOR), Gould, Paul M. (AUTHOR)
Source: Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science. Jun2026, Vol. 61 Issue 2, p468-495. 28p.
Subjects: Information theory, Biological systems, Physical cosmology, Genetic code, Epigenetics, Values (Ethics)
Abstract: In this article, we argue that complex specified information (CSI) is an important feature of life and a kind of value that all life instantiates. In support of our first thesis, we demonstrate that life's CSI operates at three interacting levels: cosmic fine-tuning for a life-supportive environment; genetic and epigenetic information within biological life; and the capacity of intelligent life to detect and create CSI. In support of our second thesis—that life's CSI is a type of value—we demonstrate that life's CSI shares traits (normativity, rarity, and gradedness) in common with the three classical values: epistemic, moral, and aesthetic. We suggest a value theory (axiology) research program guided by the hypothesis that value itself is best understood as (primarily) normative rarity. We show how this approach to axiology can be guided by perspectives derived from the integration of cosmology, biology, and information theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is the property of Open Library of Humanities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Life's Complex Specified Information Is a Kind of Value.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Keas%2C+Michael+N%2E%22">Keas, Michael N.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gould%2C+Paul+M%2E%22">Gould, Paul M.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+theory%22">Information theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biological+systems%22">Biological systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+cosmology%22">Physical cosmology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Genetic+code%22">Genetic code</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Epigenetics%22">Epigenetics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Values+%28Ethics%29%22">Values (Ethics)</searchLink>
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  Data: In this article, we argue that complex specified information (CSI) is an important feature of life and a kind of value that all life instantiates. In support of our first thesis, we demonstrate that life's CSI operates at three interacting levels: cosmic fine-tuning for a life-supportive environment; genetic and epigenetic information within biological life; and the capacity of intelligent life to detect and create CSI. In support of our second thesis—that life's CSI is a type of value—we demonstrate that life's CSI shares traits (normativity, rarity, and gradedness) in common with the three classical values: epistemic, moral, and aesthetic. We suggest a value theory (axiology) research program guided by the hypothesis that value itself is best understood as (primarily) normative rarity. We show how this approach to axiology can be guided by perspectives derived from the integration of cosmology, biology, and information theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is the property of Open Library of Humanities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=195317171
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        Value: 10.16995/zygon.24416
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Information theory
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biological systems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Physical cosmology
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      – SubjectFull: Genetic code
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Epigenetics
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      – SubjectFull: Values (Ethics)
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      – TitleFull: Life's Complex Specified Information Is a Kind of Value.
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              Text: Jun2026
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