Statistical Mechanics of a Dynamical System Based on Conway's Game of Life

In this paper we study the statistical mechanics o f a discrete, stochastic dynamical system. The system is a two-dimensional array o f squares each having two states designated " l iv ing" or " d e a d . " The deterministic part o f the dynamics is that o f the game o f " Li fe" invented by J. C o n w a y Y ~ Al though this system is not related in any obvious way to a specific physical or biological system, there are various considerations which have led us to explore its properties. Our motivations fall into a number o f different categories: (A) Phys ica l -microdynamics o f a nonequil ibrium system; (B) b io logical reproduct ion and evolution; (C) pat tern format ion and its relation to both physical and biological formalisms. We shall discuss each of these ideas in turn.