Evolutionary cosmologists, notably Lee Smolin and Roberto Mangabeira Unger, have recently formulated an evolutionary theory of physical science, extending to physics the Darwinian principle of "descent with modification". In so doing, they provide a novel perspective on the laws of physics and the origin and nature of the Universe which might result in a revolutionary scientific paradigm. Taking seriously the evolutionary nature of reality involves a recognition of the singularity of events at all scales, and of the reality of time as the grounding dimension of the universe. There is a great narrative being told here, one highly consonant with the integrational perspective on history and science provided by the proponents of Big History. One might argue, though, that there is an insufficient narratological awareness in the theories of evolutionary physicists and cosmologists. Narrative is a prime instrument to deal with emergence and singularity, but the concepts of narrative and narratology are missing in the conceptual toolkit of the theory. This paper spells out some narratological implications and concomitances of this evolutionary theory of physical reality and of its new conception of ontological singularity.

Full text:

Narrative, Contingency, and Singularity

https://ssrn.com/abstract=3060087

The paper was presented at the 5th conference of the European Narratology Network (ENN5, Prague, Sept. 2017).

13 Pages Posted: 28 Oct 2017

Jose Angel Garcia Landa

Universidad de Zaragoza

Date Written: October 26, 2017

Keywords: Evolution, Cosmology, Narrative, Contingency, Singularity, Representation, Complexity, Ontology, Paradigms, Evolutionism, Lee Smolin, Roberto Mangabeira Unger, Big History, History

Suggested Citation:

Garcia Landa, Jose Angel, Narrative, Contingency, and Singularity (October 26, 2017). The paper was presented at the 5th conference of the European Narratology Network (ENN5, Prague, Sept. 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3060087

SSRN eJournal Classifications
AARN Subject Matter eJournals Biology & Anthropology eJournal - CMBO AARN: Other Biology & Anthropology (Topic) - CMBO
AARN Subject Matter eJournals Cultural Anthropology eJournal - CMBO AARN: Human Borders - Animals, Science & Technology, & Material Culture (Topic) - CMBO AARN: Science & Technology Studies (Sub-Topic) - CMBO
CSN Subject Matter eJournals Cognition & Culture: Culture, Communication, Design, Ethics, Morality, Religion, Rhetoric, & Semiotics eJournal - CMBO CSN: General Cognition & Culture (Topic) - CMBO
PRN Subject Matter eJournals Philosophy of Science eJournal - CMBO PRN: Physical Sciences (Topic) - CMBO

Also here:

_____. "Narrative, Contingency, and Singularity." Paper presented at the 5th Conference of the European Narratology Network (ENN), Prague, 13-15 Sept. 2017.* (Online info and abstract).

https://www.enn5.cz/basic-information/introduction

https://www.enn5.cz/AngiologyKlon-ENN5/media/system/Guide_and_abstracts_final.pdf

2019

_____. "Narrative, Contingency, and Singularity." Social Science Research Network 28 Oct. 2017.*

https://ssrn.com/abstract=3060087

2017

Biology & Anthropology eJournal 2.62 (15 Nov. 2017)*

https://hq.ssrn.com/Journals/IssueProof.cfm?abstractid=3060087&journalid=2134991&issue_number=62&volume=2&journal_type=CMBO&function=showissue

https://www.ssrn.com/link/Biological-Anthropology.html (28 Oct. 2017).*

Cultural Anthropology eJournal 8 June 2018

https://www.ssrn.com/link/Cultural-Anthropology.html (28 Oct. 2017).*

Cognition & Culture … eJournal 9.37 (15 Nov. 2017).*