A Critical Overview: Sheldrake's Theory of Morphogenetic Fields
And The Hypothesis of Causative Formation - Part Two

Entropy, order and morphogenesis

Sheldrake states that those people who attempt to equate entropy with the idea of disorder are mistaken. He points out that according to the third law of hermodynamics, every pure, crystalline solid at absolute zero will have an entropy value of zero. Since there is no thermal agitation at absolute zero to disturb the system's thermodynamical properties, there will be no element of disorder introduced into such a system. Therefore, there will be no entropy present.

However, if one takes two pure, crystalline solids, such as salt and hemoglobin, although their entropy values are equivalent at absolute zero, the two differ vastly in the structural character of their complexity. Consequently, one cannot equate complexity or degree of orderedness with entropy.

Sheldrake also speaks of instances in which order and entropy values will go in opposite directions. In other words, sometimes a series of biological events will occur that result in a increase of entropy. Nevertheless, at the same time, these events also bring about an increase in morphological complexity and orderedness. Again, the indication is that entropy and disorder are not necessarily covariant entities.

The term "formative" is used in Sheldrake's hypothesis of formative causation in order to distinguish the kind of causation which he has in mind from the sorts of causation that are rooted in the physics of energy. Although morphogenetic fields have an association with physical systems of energy, such fields are not themselves a function of, or expression of, energy systems.

On the other hand, Sheldrake contends that the morphogenetic field is a spatial structure akin to other fields such as the electromagnetic and gravitational fields. Like these latter sorts of fields, the morphogenetic field makes its presence known through the spatial forms and structures to which it gives expression.

Sheldrake contends there are a vast range of different kinds of morphogenetic fields. Essentially, there will be a different morphogenetic field for each kind of form which exists.

All the elementary particles will have their individual morphogenetic field, as will different atoms, molecules, cells, organelles, tissues, organs, species and so on. Furthermore, just as organisms are said to be hierarchically organized at every level, so, too, morphogenetic fields are hierarchically organized. In fact, each morphic unit of a given level of organismic hierarchical organization will be regulated by its own particular morphogenetic field.

According to Sheldrake, the morphogenetic process only can arise when a morphogenetic germ is present. A morphogenetic germ is an existing, organized structure or system.

Morphogenesis occurs when the germ develops into a more complex structure or system through the effect which an associated morphogenetic field has on that structure or system. Although Sheldrake contends that a morphogenetic field becomes associated with a morphogenetic germ as a result of similarity of form between the two, he doesn't explain where the morphogenetic field comes from in the first place.

Moreover, he does not provide an account of how the field and germ become associated at the time of morphogenesis. Or, if the field and germ are always associated, he does not elaborate on what switches the field on and off at different times, or on what coordinates the switching on and off of a variety of different, interacting germ/field systems.

As noted previously, Sheldrake does indicate there are a whole hierarchy of morphogenetic fields. However, this doesn't so much solve the foregoing problems, as much as it merely provides a means of evading them.

Even given such a set of hierarchically arranged morphogenetic fields, one would still like to know: (a) where they come from; (b) how they are generated; (c) how morphogenetic germs and fields become associated; and, (d) how the non-physical morphogenetic fields are able to influence, or act upon, physical morphogenetic germs.

In Sheldrake's words, "the morphogenetic germ is a part of a system-to-be" This means the morphogenetic field which is associated with that germ is partially active and partially potential or virtual. In other words, in so far as the germ exists, it has an associated morphogenetic field surrounding it which is capable of operating on the germ and inducing the process of morphogenesis in it. In this sense, the associated morphogenetic field is active, and the interaction between the field and the germ generates a system that is beginning to manifest itself morphogenetically.

However, there are still aspects of the germ-field interaction which have not, yet, been activated, and, therefore, according to Sheldrake, the germ-field constitutes a kind of form in waiting. Consequently, under the appropriate circumstances and at the opportune time, these currently unactivated aspects of the germ-field system will be given expression and the full structural character of what once was a 'system-to-be' becomes a fully realized, operating germ-field system.

In short, Sheldrake believes the morphogenetic field contains the formal blueprints, so to speak, for the morphogenetic process of unfolding or becoming. By acting on the physical/material medium of a given morphogenetic germ, the field induces that germ to undergo morphogenesis in the directions and ways prescribed by the blueprint or virtual form inherent in the associated morphogenetic field.

Sheldrake speaks of the morphogenetic field as containing a virtual form which, in time, is to be given expression through its influence on the physical/material medium of the germ. However, looked at in another way, the morphogenetic field is already an actual form waiting to operate on the structural character of the morphogenetic germ so that the form of the field can be manifested on, or given expression on, another level of scale- namely, in the physical/material world.

Therefore, one is not so much dealing with a case in which something that is virtual becomes actual. Rather, what Sheldrake is referring to seems to be something which is already actual and, then, subsequently, becomes manifest on a different level of scale.

The germ is not a geometric point without any internal structure which suddenly produces complexity where previously there only had been pure simplicity of the most fundamental sort. The morphogenetic germ has a spectrum of ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom covering a range of differentiated functions, properties or characteristics.

Consequently, morphogenesis is a process which takes already complex structures (even at the level of, relatively speaking, simple morphic units) and by altering certain aspects of the spectrum of the ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom, brings about a transformation of the character of the structural complexity which is being given expression. Thus, what had been, inwardly, a complex structure but, outwardly, appeared to be a relatively simple morphic unit, now, under the influence of the morphogenetic field, becomes, outwardly, manifested as a complex structure. The germ, in other words, had always been structurally complex, but what had been hidden complexity now has become manifest complexity.

According to Sheldrake, there are two broad types of morphogenesis. One type is referred to as aggregative. The other type of morphogenesis is called transformative.'

In aggregative morphogenesis a number of independent morphic units are brought together to form a more complex morphic unit. In the case of transformative morphogenesis, a given morphic unit becomes transformed, under the influence of the morphogenetic field, into a more complex morphic unit.

However, this distinction between aggregative and transformative morphogenesis seems somewhat arbitrary since, on some level of scale, one probably could construe virtually every process of morphogenesis as a bringing together of a variety of previously independent morphic units. Even in the case of transformative morphogenesis, one might well argue that the transformation takes place as a reordering or reorganizing of various morphic units within the morphogenetic germ, and as such, constitutes the bringing together of a variety of independent units to give expression to a more complex form.

The morphogenetic field as a probability distribution

Sheldrake likens morphogenetic fields to the orbitals of particles that are described by quantum mechanics as probability distributions. One cannot give specific details about the precise location and velocity of a given particle within its orbital and, therefore, one is required to work out a probability distribution which shows the likelihood of finding the particle in question at any given location in the orbital.

So too, Sheldrake believes there are a variety of indeterminacies associated with the morphogenetic field. As a result, he proposes the morphogenetic field be construed as a probability structure. This probability structure gives expression to a set of distributed values concerning the process of unfolding of structural complexity in association with a given morphogenetic germ.

From the perspective of this essay, probability structures are a function of the way a given kind of methodology engages an aspect of ontology or the phenomenology of the experiential field and, as a result of this engagement, generates an interpretation of that engagement process. Probability structures are the methodological means one uses to keep track of how various ontological structures' spectra of constraints and degrees of freedom express themselves over time.

Morphogenetic fields (assuming, of course, that they actually exist) and wave phenomena both give expression to latticeworks of phase relationships which establish a ratio or spectrum of ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom that are capable of giving expression to particular kinds of structural character under a given set of circumstances. Probability structures, of one description or another, are attempts to map various dimensions of such morphogenetic fields.

Chreodes in the context of variable energy configurations

The amino acid sequence which constitutes a given protein takes on a tertiary structural form by folding into a three-dimensional configuration. A polypeptide chain of amino acids only becomes a functional protein when it has assumed a certain three dimensional configuration. Moreover, each distinct protein has a characteristic tertiary structure.

Because this folding process occurs more quickly than would be predicted if one assumed it was taking place as the result of a random search through possible energy configurations, Sheldrake suggests the difference between actual and predicted folding time indicates the folding process follows certain preferred paths. He interprets this to mean there is a morphogenetic field present that is placing constraints on the manner in which the folding process will work its way through the energy configurations available to the polypeptide chain. Such a preferred path is referred to by Sheldrake as a chreode (cf. Waddington) or canalized pathway.

Sheldrake also briefly discusses the way in which the processes of symmetry breaking, phase transitions and dissipative structures frequently display a wide diversity in the structural character of the outcomes of these sort of phenomena. In cases such as these, there are a large number of energy configurations that are possible. Although one often can predict the general thermodynamic character of the outcome of these processes, one cannot predict the structural form which will manifest such a thermodynamic character.

In other words, the physical and chemical laws governing a given system present a range of energy or thermodynamic configurations which are possible under the conditions that prevail in the system. The morphogenetic fields select from among those possibilities which are permitted by chemical and physical laws under a given set of circumstances.

He points out, however, that not all of these cases of change in form necessarily involve morphogenetic fields or the process of formative causation. Sometimes transitions in form are the result of purely random events. On other occasions a particular change of form may occur because it represents the structure which gives expression to the condition of minimum-energy or maximum stability.

Moreover, Sheldrake believes morphogenetic fields, when they are present, do not act in opposition to chemical or physical process. He contends they act in concert. Indeed, such physical and chemical processes become the medium through which the morphogenetic field manifests its effect.

The question of the origins of morphogenetic fields

Sheldrake's admission that there are instances of transition in form which are not the result of morphogenetic fields again raises questions about the origin of such fields, as well as about how a morphogenetic field comes to be associated with a given form or morphogenetic germ. In addition, one might wish to ask why there aren't morphogenetic fields associated with such things as minimum-energy states, or whether one can really speak of any process being random.

In the latter case, one might wonder why one couldn't construe the so-called 'random' process as being part of a system-to-be. What Sheldrake refers to as random events may be a system-to-be that is merely idling within certain parameters of constraints and degrees of freedom until an appropriate morphogenetic field imprints a blueprint of formative causation on such a process.

Indeed, one might suppose the entities or elements or objects which are caught up in the 'random' process constitute morphic units that already are operating under morphogenetic fields. As such, they may be passing through an interim phase until some higher hierarchical morphogenetic field comes along and organizes these individual morphic units into a more complex system.

Sheldrake outlines two broad approaches to answering the question of where morphogenetic fields derive their form. One possibility is that morphogenetic fields are expressions of eternal, fixed forms of the sort that either Plato or Aristotle talked about, each from his own perspective. The other possibility which Sheldrake outlines is actually not an answer at all. It leaves, instead, the issue shrouded in the mystery of the unknown.

In this second possibility, Sheldrake says no scientific answer can be offered as to why a morphogenetic field of a given form first arose. Nonetheless, once such a field has arisen, it is capable of transmitting its influence across time and space to bring about the transformative or aggregative morphogenesis of some morphogenetic germ(s).

Furthermore, Sheldrake maintains his hypothesis of formative causation is concerned with the effect that the role which the repeating of forms plays in morphogenesis. Consequently, he believes the origins of forms is a non-issue as far as the idea of causative formation is concerned.

While Sheldrake can chose to whistle past the cemetery if he likes, as long as he refuses to treat the problem of origins as a clear and present issue, his perspective becomes permeated by a large degree of arbitrariness and ad hocness. Not only is he unable to explain the origins of the forms of such fields, he cannot account for how they transmit their influence, or how they come to recognize a given morphogenetic germ as a sympatico form with which to become associated.

Resonance phase and temporality

Later on he uses the term "resonance" to suggest how a given morphogenetic germ, entity or system "recognizes" similarity in another morphogenetic germ, etc.. Nevertheless, in the context of Sheldrake's discussion of morphogenetic fields, resonance is a term which gives the illusion of an explanation without actually possessing the reality of such an account.

Resonance becomes like a black box in which something takes place that permits non-physical fields to interact with, and influence, physical systems. Yet, one never comes to understand what the nature of the resonance is which is set in motion between non-physical and physical systems.

Resonance is a term used in science to describe situations in which the structural character of the vibration of one system acts upon some other system because the vibrational character of the latter system has a natural frequency which is very similar to the vibrational character of the first system. Resonance is a selective process in as much as it only occurs within fairly specific parameters of vibrational character.

Sheldrake believes the interaction between a morphogenetic field and a morphogenetic germ is a case of morphic resonance. However, unlike the sort of resonance which occurs in purely physical systems, morphic resonance does not involve energy in any way. On the other hand, like instances of energetic resonance, morphic resonance does revolve around the vibrational character of systems, which means that it is a dynamic, rather than a static, process.

Morphic resonance, according to Sheldrake, gives expression to forms of vibration which are spatio-temporal in character. These three-dimensional vibrational forms are capable of being transmitted across space and time, imposing, within certain limits, their morphogenetic imprint onto a given morphogenetic germ or morphic unit.

Although the idea of an order-field has certain 'similarities' to Sheldrake's idea of a morphogenetic field, there are also some obvious differences. One of the most fundamental of these differences concerns our contrasting conceptions of the structural character of the field.

For example, whereas Sheldrake speaks of action at a distance, the dissertation speaks in terms of contiguous transmission of order-field effects. In addition, whereas Sheldrake describes formative causation in terms of a three-dimensional spatio temporal vibrational resonance, the structural character of the order-field's mode of vibrational transmission is through the dimension of time.

Time is one of the dimensions (but not necessarily the only one) which is held in common by all structures, structuring processes, dialectic interactions, morphogenetic transitions, phase transitions, dissipative structures, symmetry breaking events etc.. This aspect of commonality may make temporality an ideal medium through which to transmit certain kinds of influences, especially those involving phase relationships, sequential events, oscillations, periodicies, aperiodicies, chaotic dynamics, and so on. All of these influences play key, pivotal roles in virtually all - if not all- physical, material, biological, mental, and emotional processes, as well as in many, but not necessarily all spiritual experiences.

Everything in the physical/material/mental world gives expression to some sort of structural character. Structures are manifestations of a spectrum of ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom. These ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom are an expression of certain kinds of dialectical activity that occurs between, or among, various dimensions- space and time being just two of these dimensions.

Phase transitions and morphogenetic transformation constitute a selection from, or alteration in, the spectrum of ratios which constitute a given structure. Such transitions or transformations occur by means of phase relationship states in which phase quanta are exchanged. (For now, one might characterize phase relationships as expressions of the way different aspects of ontology interact with one another while in certain states, conditions, and cycles of manifestation. These states, conditions, and cycles constitute the phases of an object or process during particular modes of being that give expression to various dimensions of possibility inherent in an object’s or process’ being.)

Phase quanta are the carriers of force which bring about a change in the way a given spectrum of ratios gives expression to itself, or which brings about a change in the very character of the spectrum itself, either by adding ratios, or taking away ratios, or by modifying the existing ratios in some new way. Phase quanta represent vibrational modes of temporality. In other words, they are temporal wave forms whose structural character specifies a ratio of constraints and degrees of freedom but which is coded for in terms of phase relationships.

Ultimately, phase is a matter of temporal orderedness which codes form(s) or structure(s) in terms of how the constraints and degrees of freedom which constitute that (those) form(s) are temporally related to one another within the context of unfolding or being manifested. Indeed, phase is a point-structure whose ratio of constraints and degrees of freedom is expressed in a temporal waveform.

As such, any form or aspect of form (of whatever medium) can be represented by a temporal wave of a given phase structure. In fact, one might argue that any structure, in whatever medium, is, in part, a manifestation of the presence of a temporal wave which is moving through that medium and helping to shape the character of such a structure.

When phase quanta are exchanged, this may affect the spectrum of ratios of constraints and degrees of freedom which constitute a given structural character. Thus, the order-field acts on structures by, along with other dimensional means, transmitting its effects through the phase quanta which are carriers of temporal force.

As such, temporal force becomes a transmitter of certain aspects of the underlying order-field. Phase quanta are the means through which temporal resonance manifests itself. Morphic resonance is a species of temporal resonance.

Sheldrake believes all past systems which are similar to a given system existing in the present will have a shaping effect on the current system. However, since not all of these systems are precisely the same, he contends there will be an averaging process which takes place.

During this averaging process, those aspects of all the past systems which are held in common with the current system will be enhanced. The degree of enhancement will depend on the degree of similarity. Sheldrake contends that whenever there is variance with respect to some given structural theme, a certain amount of blurring will occur due to way the variance is distributed over the morphogenetic field rather than localized or concentrated in a well-defined region that is capable of providing sharp resolution.

The above-mentioned variance distribution is why Sheldrake describes the morphogenetic field as a probability structure. It describes the probability that a given morphic unit or morphogenetic germ, with which the field becomes associated, is likely to be affected by the field at different points in that morphic unit or germ.

The foregoing position appears somewhat problematic in several respects. For example, how similar do things have to be in order for there to be an enhancement or reinforcement effect? What is to prevent someone from arguing that since everything shares a certain degree of similarity with everything else, therefore, all structural themes, in every morphic unit or morphogenetic germ, will be reinforced, so some extent, by various morphogenetic fields? Alternatively, given that everything is dissimilar to some degree, what stops the aspects of dissimilarity from acting as a dampening effect on the process of reinforcing various structural themes?

One could argue there is a far greater amount of dissimilarity than similarity, as one goes from situation to situation. If this were the case, one might wonder why the themes of dissimilarity don't just swamp the themes of similarity during the averaging process, thereby preventing structural themes from ever being sufficiently reinforced to have any appreciable morphogenetic influence on subsequent morphic units or germs.

The foregoing theme may be 'reinforced', to some extent, by Sheldrake's contention that the effects of a morphogenetic field are not attenuated by either space or time. In other words, Sheldrake does not believe the morphogenetic field is a function or expression of either mass or energy. Therefore, he feels such fields will not be vulnerable to the same deterioration of quantity and quality to which physical phenomena are subject when propagated across space and time.

In any event, if the effects of a morphogenetic field are not attenuated by space or time, then, this would seem to indicate that the opportunity for dissimilarities to influence morphogenetic events, through the averaging process, becomes that much greater. This is the case since such themes of dissimilarity will not be attenuated in their strength or intensity by factors of space and time.

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