Systems poised to criticality through Pareto selective forces

Abstract

Pareto selective forces optimize several targets at the same time, instead of single fitness functions. Systems subjected to these forces evolve towards their Pareto front, a geometrical object akin to the thermodynamical Gibbs surface and whose shape and differential geometry underlie the existence of phase transitions. In this paper we outline the connection between the Pareto front and criticality and critical phase transitions. It is shown how, under definite circumstances, Pareto selective forces drive a system towards a critical ensemble that separates the two phases of a first order phase transition. Different mechanisms implementing such Pareto selective dynamics are revised.