A discussion of morphogenetic fields, taken from the biologist D'arcy Wentworth Thompson and mathematician and topologist Rene Thom, will both be pertinent and useful in explaining how we can apply ontogenesis to a Naturphilosophie.
Rene Thom gives a geometric vitalism where a formal geometric structure is given to a living being to explain its stability. He is also founder of catastrophe theory. This is a branch of bifurcation theory. Using dynamical systems he gives us a dynamic Platonism where forms or geometrical structures are characterized mathematically and shows how the potential functions in phenomena alter and change at unstable points of broken symmetry. The bifurcation point is where the difference between two extrema become so unstable that they annihilate resulting in new or different behaviour of the system. It is a site or fold that 'tips' the system resulting in novel actualizations.
Historically the concept of morphogenetic fields developed within the study of embryonic development. A field or unit of cells, rather than specific individual cells, assist in the development of organs, resting somewhere between genes and evolution. I think, however that the idea of morphogenetic fields could be extended. I would argue that the principles and operation of morphogenetic systems can exist not only as a field of thought, a collective or a creative consciousness. To borrow a term from Coleridge these could be called 'esemplastic' in the sense that they help form or mold phenomena (qualitative geometrical structures) issuing from the intuitive imagination. They exist not as products originating in the mind and issuing from consciousness, imagination or representation. Rather, I argue, they are necessarily prior to but immanent within phenomena, not as last in the genetic series of nature's products in Schellingian terms.
What exactly are these morphogenetic fields? In itself we can describe them as the formless form of all forms. As Whitehead says, forms are possibilities of definiteness. We might say that they are possibilities for definiteness. We can link these morphogenetic fields to quantum physics, where they are the void. The void is definitely something, it exists. It is a site of virtuality, particles appear as quickly as they disappear, motion, fluctuations of energy and vortex loops operate. Linked to the quantum gravitational field which pervades all space, it interacts with matter/energy known as 'symmetric second-rank tensor' it is linked to symplectic manifolds and symplectic geometry.
Matter or energy is already structured, it contains form. Structure is immanent to matter argues Deleuze. This means that we do not have an empty, hollow nothingness or void but a structured nothingness. One that has form. It is the task of physicists to map this out.
There are obvious questions to that arise from this proposition. Does there exist a single field or many, perhaps for each type of biological form or genera? - but this leads to Aristotelianism.
Linking morphogenetic fields as described here to Simondon's theories of individuation may add to our ideas. Simondon argues that the individual is always more than itself. There exists an ongoing potential or virtuality within and surrounding that entity that lies in excess of it. The individual is a dynamic entity centering on instable disparities, tensions, and problems and is always seeking a solution to them which drives and forms it, it is meta-stable and never static or inert. Simondon uses the term transduction - the coming together of heterogenous forces into a new provisional unity, a structure which surrounds an entity, its milieu or field. This can be described as the chaos of the pre-individual. The pre-individual is pure difference, a difference without distinction or disparity so that it is almost the same or identical with itself. It is an unordered givenness of forces, tendencies and singularities. Such matter is not formless but multi-formed, it contains potentiality or virtuality for producing many different kinds of forms or individuals. The individual is a resolution or transformation or a solution to a problem within this field, a form of entlechy that contains a plasticity. The individual is an occurance or event. It is a becoming of activity between the poles of subjectivity and objectivity, always in operation process or phase-shift. Matter is not in-formed, by something outside of it. It's own forms change and evolve through different elements that resist it, and it occurs always through an asymmetrical tension or imbalance in equilibrium. This results in a pluralism of phases. As a product of these processes and as a product that undergoes these processes the individual or subject is always incompatible with itself. It constantly searches for resolutions and solutions which causes anxiety - the impossibility of actualizing the pre-individual in us. But such emotion is an opening that allows possibilities to enter, it is a sign that not everything is given all at once, that the subject is incomplete. This calls for activity on the part of the subject. Similar to Whitehead's argument that all entities feel the world and apart from this there is bare nothingness. The present is always activity. A form -taking activity is immanent to the event of form taking. The pre-individual is morphic for the individual and as such the individual has a primary relationship to it. For Simondon being is always relational, properties are relational. The whole is not the sum of its parts but always alongside and in addition to them, and it too has an effect on the parts. Nevertheless the whole lies in excess of the individual parts without ever annulling diversity or difference.
To cast these mixed and brief arguments in Schellingian terms I would describe the morphogenetic field as the dark aspect that is held back from thought. It underlies nature and the individual; as an excess of forces or energy that surpasses finite rational consciousness comprehension it becomes a threshold or summit as well as an indeterminate ground. These morphogenetic fields are a site or point of primeval indecision or indeterminateness who's determination into matter/products/difference would be contingent/chance. Only after the f -act (or act or determination, which then makes it necessary) do they become aprori and necessary. A contingent necessity. As an archetype, design or blueprint these morphogentic structures, energy, fields and resolutions allows the possible to become actual and determine natures products. They are a site, medium or milieu that is indifferent or neutral as to its products. In effect they act as ground but also a middle ground which contains auto-morphic functions. The SILENT MIDDLE.
