A study by Florin Munteanu and Emil Zaharia-Kézdi, recently published and now available on Academia.edu, proposes a transformative vision for life sciences by integrating complexity science, computational advances, and a novel ontological understanding of information. Presented initially at the 2019 Food Safety and Healthy Living International Summer School and now thoroughly revised, this work invites scientists, educators, and innovators to rethink the very foundations of how we approach the quality of food, health, and life.

Abstract Overview

The study, titled A Non-Linear Approach to Life Sciences: Theories, Models and Applications, argues that traditional analytical techniques are limited by the prevailing scientific paradigms in which they were developed. As new paradigms emerge—driven by complexity science, the recognition of information-energy-matter as a fundamental triad, and the rise of computational modeling—substantial changes in scientific methods and applications are both necessary and inevitable.

Central to this new approach is the concept of the Earth as a “Living Planet,” characterized by hierarchical, dynamic systems exchanging information, matter, and energy. The authors explore how humanity, through the creation of artifacts and the noosphere, has become an active participant in planetary evolution, raising urgent questions about sustainability and the future of life on Earth.

A key innovation in the study is the elevation of information to an ontological dimension, alongside matter and energy. Drawing on the work of Mihai Drăgănescu and others, the authors propose that information is not merely a technical or statistical concept but a profound reality that underpins morphogenesis, consciousness, and the dynamic stability of living systems. This perspective is supported by experimental methods such as tesigraphy (sensitive crystallization), which may reveal informational fields influencing biological quality and health.

Why This Matters

This research challenges the scientific community to move beyond reductionist, linear thinking and embrace a holistic, multi- and transdisciplinary vision. By refining our concepts and methodologies to match the complexity of nature, we can foster creativity, innovation, and more effective solutions to pressing global challenges.

Discover More

To read the full study and explore its implications for the future of life sciences, visit Academia.edu where you can browse more studies and access “A Non-Linear Approach to Life Sciences: Theories, Models and Applications” by Florin Munteanu and Emil Zaharia-Kézdi. You can also download the paper here.