MOLECULAR APPROACH TO LIVING SYSTEMS

Living systems theory (LST) generates a large set of hypotheses that a re thought to be applicable to the following eight levels of living sy stems: cell, organ, organism, group, organization, community, society, and supranational system. Many of the disciplines from which LST has derived its cross-level propositions are concerned not only with the p roperties of individual systems, but also with interactions between th em. This paper focuses on linked systems and the linkages between them rather than on individual systems. Intersystem relationships at vario us levels of living systems are examined for cross-level commonalities . The paper pays particular attention to dyads as the building blocks of quasi-living systems and higher-level living systems. Shared templa te elements, a common destiny, joint activity, and exchange of resourc es between and among systems are found to be common, cross-level facto rs in the bonding of systems.