Der Aufsatz ist einer allgemeinen Charakteristik der organismischen Theorie gewidmet. Ihr Schöpfer ist Ludwig von Bertalanffy.Im ersten Abschnitt wird auf die erkenntnistheoretischen und obiektiven Quellen hingewiesen, im einzelnen auf die Unzulänglichkeit der Zellentheorie und die Versuche, ihr den rechten Platz unter anderen biologischen Theorien anzuweisen. Dann wird die Auseinandersetzung dargestellt zwischen Mechanizismus und Vitalismus um die Möglichkeit oder Unmöglichkeit einer Reduktion von biologischen Gesetzen zu den physikalischen. Die Unzulänglichkeit der analytisch-meristischen Erkenntnismethode bei vitalen Phänomenen ist betont. Daraus folgt die Notwendigkeit (...) einer synthetisch-ganzheitlichen Auffassung (holistische Quellen: J. S. Haldane, Adolf Meyer-Abich).Die Hauptgedanken der organismischen Theorie L. von Bertalanffys werden im zweiten Abschnitt besprochen. Nach der Charakteristik der allgemeinen Systemtheorie folgt eine Darbietung der Ansichten L. von Bertalanffys auf das Wesen des Organismus als offenes System. Besonders hervorgehoben sind die Grundsätze der Organisation und hierarchischen Einordnung der Systeme im Organismus.Im dritten Abschnitt skiziert der Autor die Perspektiven der organismischen Theorie und deren Anwendung bei Untersuchen konkreter biologischer Probleme. Als Beispiel wurden geboten genetisch-evolutionistische Fragen, da diese heute zu den am meisten diskutierten zählen. (shrink)

Harold Clayton Urey (1893-1981) is one of the most outstanding naturalists of the 20th century. Being the Noble Prize winner, he initiated the research of organic cosmology and comparative planetology. He is known of his works on the evolution and physico-chemical nature of the solar system, planets, meteorites and the Earth and Moon in particular.The article critically discusses some less known Urey’s views that arose from his main study of the history of the Earth and her atmosphere. Namely, the following (...) problems of the origin of the organic life are analysed:1) physico-chemical conditions of abiogenesis2) composition and structure of the original atmosphere3) nature and origin of the organic matter of meteorites4) origins of free energy.Finally, some ever-lasting values of Urey’s work are emphasized and his contribution to the disciplines he dealt with is presented. It is done on the basis of current criteria of scientific progress. (shrink)

The paper is a preliminary attempt of a comparative analysis of systems ontology and natural philosophy. Therefore, the author characterizes the philosophical aspects of a general theory of systems in respect of their subject matter and underlines ontological elements in the theory. Some controversial opinions on the ontological character of the systems trend ware presented as examples. After the presentation of current concepts of natural philosophy, it is stated that ontology in its current form can not be recognized as a (...) natural^ philosophy in any of its present versions. It might be only a specific natural philosophy or at least an introduction to that. However, then it would be necessary to work out some methods of philosophical analysis and to point out its subject and aims in orćfer that the research were not a certain generalization of detailed empirical and operational systems analyses. The problem, however, remains open. (shrink)

The article is an attempt of logical analysis of the theories of the origin of life. The author, accepting the definition of the theory of abiogenesis as a process of a slow, spontaneous and direct formation of living things from organic non-living compounds or directly from unorganic substances, presents three assumptions that occur in each theory of the origin of life.1. The existence of the causality including physical and dynamic interrelation of events; this assumption contains two possibilities; the original formation (...) of organic compounds and further evolution of these compounds.2. The existence of the abiotic period in the history of earth.3. Primitive living things were similar to the actually existing organisms.As to the value of abiogenesis the author emphasises verification and above all tendency to the empiric sensity of notions of the theory. The tendency in the explanation of the origin of life, non implicating any metaphysical solutions, is the only legal one within the scope of accepted empirical methods. (shrink)