---
slug: paper-anderson-p-w-and-stein-d-l-1987-broken-symmetry-emergent-properties-dissipative
title: Anderson and Stein (1987): Broken Symmetry, Emergent Properties, Dissipative Structures, Life
canonical: https://miscsubjects.com/a/paper-anderson-p-w-and-stein-d-l-1987-broken-symmetry-emergent-properties-dissipative
---

## What the authors saw and core results

P.W. Anderson and D.L. Stein examined whether broken symmetry in equilibrium systems produces stable emergent properties that parallel dissipative structures in far-from-equilibrium systems. They asked if such structures can explain stable features of life.

Core result: equilibrium broken symmetry yields rigorous theory for stable new properties such as rigidity and new dynamics. Far-from-equilibrium dissipative structures lack comparable theory for stable, permanent entities. Life requires stability on atomic timescales. No such theory exists for the structures implied by Prigogine and Haken.

## Exact primary work and load-bearing passages

Anderson, P.W. and Stein, D.L. (1987). Broken symmetry, emergent properties, dissipative structures, life: Are they related? In F.E. Yates et al. (eds.), Self-Organizing Systems: The Emergence of Order. Plenum Press, pp. 445-457. Preprint version at https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA094970.pdf.

Key passages:

"Is there a theory of dissipative structures comparable to that of equilibrium structures, explaining the existence of new, stable properties and entities in such systems? Contrary to statements in a number of books and articles in this field, we believe there is no such theory and it may even be that there are no such structures as they are implied to exist by Prigogine, Haken and their collaborators." (preprint pp. 3-4)

"What does exist in this field is rather different from Prigogine’s speculations and is the subject of intense experimental and theoretical investigation at this time." (preprint p. 4)

"Thus the answer to the fourth deep question Can we see our way clear to a physical theory of the origin of life which follows these general lines? is already evident: No, because there exists no theory of dissipative structures." (preprint p. 4)

## Convergence patterns touched

The work directly addresses broken symmetry as source of emergent properties. It separates equilibrium cases (rigidity, order parameter singularities) from driven cases (turbulence, convection). It questions whether energy flows produce stable bounded structures comparable to crystals or magnets.

## Distance from full OIP/GRAIN synthesis

The paper supports the grain concept at equilibrium scales where broken symmetry reliably produces memory-like rigidity and scale-invariant phases. It attacks extension to life via dissipative structures, stating no comparable stability mechanism exists. The Ladder from flow to structure to life receives a direct limit: dissipative flow alone does not guarantee stable memory or life-like entities.

## Honest limits and disconfirming edges

The argument is theoretical and rests on absence of Landau-style free-energy description for driven systems. It predates later work on stochastic thermodynamics and active matter. Specific chemical oscillators and biological systems show persistent patterns, yet the authors note these remain transitory relative to atomic timescales. The critique targets Prigogine-school claims of analogy, not all non-equilibrium phenomena.

## Claims

- Equilibrium broken symmetry produces new stable properties via order parameter. Mechanistic. Source: Anderson & Stein 1987.
- Dissipative structures lack theory for stable permanent entities. Mechanistic. Source: Anderson & Stein 1987.
- Life requires stability absent in implied dissipative structures. Anecdotal. Source: Anderson & Stein 1987.
- No physical theory of life origin follows from dissipative structure analogy. Speculative. Source: Anderson & Stein 1987.
