Passings: Cross-disciplinary pioneer Brian Goodwin dead at 78

Brian Goodwin: A Pioneer across the Disciplines
ISIS Press Release 23/07/09

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Prof. Brian Goodwin in his last post as Resident Scholar at Schumacher College at the age of 78.
Brian was a scientist well ahead of his time. He pioneered theoretical biology, structuralism, complexity theory, holistic and Goethean science, inspiring generations of students and colleagues across the disciplines to ask the big questions and always to think beyond received wisdom.

Brian had been member of ISIS since the beginning and also a member of the Independent Science Panel of 2003. Brian’s funeral will be held at 2 pm on August 1 at Staverton Church in Dorset. His memorial is set for 20 September.

Please check the website link for further information.

A friend notes:

A friend writes, Brian Goodwin has been a significant figure in the UK for many decades. I once heard him give a fascinating lecture of the "fruiting" bodies made when thousands of amoeba stopped acting as individuals and started acting as a collective. His structuralist views kept him out of the UK neodarwinian hierarchy, but his writings have ensured a continuing influence among younger biologists.

For an appreciation of his work, go here.