Projects / Programmes
Phase transitions towards cooperation in coupled populations
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.02.02 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
Theoretical physics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P002 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
phase transition, cooperation, complex networks, coupled populations
Researchers (9)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Cooperation is the most important challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution, and it is fundamental for the understanding of the main evolutionary transitions that led from single-cell organisms to complex animal and human societies. If only the fittest survive, why should an organism carry out an altruistic act that is costly to perform, but benefits another? Nonequilibrium statistical physics, in particular the collective behaviour of interacting particles near phase transitions, has recently emerged as invaluable for understanding counterintuitive outcomes of evolutionary processes in large structured populations. Importantly, multi-point interactions that are involved in such processes give rise to critical behaviour that in complexity surpasses everything known from pairwise interactions that typically govern solid-state physics systems. The incompleteness of the existing theory is amplified further by the inevitable interactions among populations, which give rise to multi-level dependencies that may induce cascading failures and accelerate sudden transitions towards system-wide catastrophes. Our aim is to utilize and extend the concept of phase transitions and universality, so that it will become apt for describing and explaining the evolution of cooperation in large strongly interacting populations. We will strive to develop widely applicable theoretical foundations that will open up new horizons towards understanding, predicting, and controlling a rich variety of fascinating phenomena that rely on massive interdependent cooperative efforts. From the selfless sharing of resources in microbial films and the eusocial behaviour of ants and bees, to the unparalleled other-regarding abilities of humans and the worldwide mitigation of economic crisis, the promise of having a firm theoretical grip on the major transitions that lead to cooperation should have profoundly stimulating effects on various aspects of everyday life.
Significance for science
The goal of this project is to reach substantial progress toward a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of cooperation by means of the application and extension of the concept of phase transitions in large strongly interacting populations. Similar approaches to understand complex systems have in the past led to remarkable success, and they gave birth to several flourishing areas of physics research. Two most notable examples are the fields of econophysics and sociophysics, where large numbers of interacting participants form a collective behaviour that could never be explained by analysing solely a representative member of the system. Instead, as Philip W. Anderson wrote, “More is different”, i.e., it is important to overcome the limits of reductionism, and to embrace synergetic connections towards other scientific disciplines if they can benefit from it. Modern theories, which are capable not only to analyse past events, but also to predict sudden changes, economic crisis or social revolutions, can not be established without utilizing such an approach to research. Our goal is thus not just to arrive at new physics, but also to take from physics to other non-physics disciplines concepts, methodologies and perspectives to address or solve important problems in the other disciplines that have not been solved before. The final outcome shall be a more comprehensive evolutionary game theory, in particular one that will be apt to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
Significance for the country
Because the anticipated studies are, via evolutionary game theory, intimately linked with economy and sociology, the results of the project will surely have weight in the light of the socio-economic development of the Republic of Slovenia. In particular the specification of optimal conditions, in the sense of the strength of the interdependence of interaction topologies and strategic complexity, at which cooperation and with it related social welfare is maximal, can have a positive effect on the socio-economic development of the Republic of Slovenia, provided, of course, an appropriate interest and engagement of competent individuals and/or institutions is at hand. The studies performed in the framework of the project will reveal precise mechanisms and optimal conditions at which rather simple techniques have the optimal effect on the evolution of cooperation in interacting populations. Moreover, the often-employed hierarchical structure and the interdependence of the majority of organisations in the public sector will be put to the test, and it will be determined if it indeed provides an optimal organization for maximizing output and work efficiency. Preliminary studies show that this is not the case, and accordingly, appropriate alternatives will be presented; and given the appropriate engagement taking this at least partially into account, benefits to the socio-economic development of the Republic of Slovenia in the broadest possible sense can be anticipated. The project group will do everything possible to communicate the research findings to the public in a friendly and easy-to-understand manner.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
