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Arnsdorfs Paradox
Author(s) -
ARNSDORF MORTON F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1990.tb01048.x
Subject(s) - disequilibrium , premise , resolution (logic) , epistemology , classification of discontinuities , computer science , cognitive science , medicine , psychology , artificial intelligence , philosophy , mathematics , ophthalmology , mathematical analysis
Arnsdorf's Paradox is that the multiplicities, discontinuities, dynamic interactions, and other complexities that exist in and among the determinants of cardiac excitability should give rise to unpredictably complex behavior, yet electrophysiological events usually are coordinated sufficiently to produce predictable outcomes. Experimental work is discussed in which a complex electrophysiological matrix consisting of active and passive cellular properties that are responsible for overall excitability that is maintained in a dynamic equilibrium by complex feedback systems give way to disequilibrium and seems to self‐organize into a new equilibrium. There must be some order in this seeming chaos. Resolution of this Paradox means that one or another entrenched scientific prejudice must be modified. My Paradox arose through an erroneous premise that complexity led only to further complexity. As some of our experimental work suggests, however, complex systems may behave or may be encouraged to behave quite simply and predictably; and in this exists the resolution of the Paradox. This view has scientific and clinical implications that are briefly discussed.