Jozef Zon

Publications

• Kryteria demarkacji między nauką, para- i pseudonauką na przykładzie kontrowersji wokół bioplazmy (inPolish) [

  J. Zon, M. Wnuk

  01/2009: pages 355-364;

  ISBN: 978-83-7363-812-9

• Kiedy 'kreacja albo ewolucja" a kiedy "kreacja oraz ewolucja" (in Polish) [When "creation or evolution" and when 'creation and evolution"]

  J. Zon

  01/2008: pages 275-302;

  ISBN: 978-83-923900-1-5

• Tacitly accepted theses in the considerations of the relationship between life and electromagnetic fields [In Polish]

  J. Zon

  01/2008: pages 135-153;

  ISBN: 978-83-7072-475-7

• Człowiek jako wytwór ewolucji

  Zon, Z. J.//Kieroń

  03/2007: pages 163-178;

  ISBN: 978-83-60144-07-7

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• Plasma switchability in the brain

  J. R. Zon

  Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 01/2005; 24:273-281.

  The brain is considered to be a seat of vast number of subvolumes of limited size containing mobile charge carriers. The ensembles of these carriers may undergo phase transitions between the states of noncollective and collective behavior. It is shown that these phase transitions may take place depe... [more] The brain is considered to be a seat of vast number of subvolumes of limited size containing mobile charge carriers. The ensembles of these carriers may undergo phase transitions between the states of noncollective and collective behavior. It is shown that these phase transitions may take place depending on the values of concentration, effective mass, and temperature of charge carriers, and the dielectric constant of the atomic lattice; all of them in coupling with the metabolic activity of the brain. The transitions between individual particles and classical plasma (as well as in the reverse direction) may happen as a result of the change, for example, in oxygen supply or pharmaceuticals.

• How the modernization of the Stoic concept of the soul as creative fire is possible and for what reasons it is worth-while? [in Polish]

  J. Zon

  01/2001: pages 66-93;

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• The claims of pseudoscientific nature of the Włodzimierz Sedlak’s concept of bioplasma [in Polish]

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1998; 46:211-240.

  A number of authors (W. Bulanda, W. Majewski, A. Paszewski, and K. Wierzchowski) claimed that works of W. Sedlak devoted to the concept of bioelectronics and bioplasma do not conform to the criteria of scientific publications. In their opinion the degree of nonconformity is so great, that they ought... [more] A number of authors (W. Bulanda, W. Majewski, A. Paszewski, and K. Wierzchowski) claimed that works of W. Sedlak devoted to the concept of bioelectronics and bioplasma do not conform to the criteria of scientific publications. In their opinion the degree of nonconformity is so great, that they ought be considered pseudoscientific. Having accepted many of the charges brought about by these critics, the present author disagrees with such a radical opinion. Notwithstanding this, he maintains that publications authored by Sedlak are valuable, at least heuristically. They should not be considered as belonging either to pseudoscience or parascience. Because of many methodological faults and errors, they may well be considered as the „crippled”, yet still belonging to the domain of science.

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• Life is plasma. A modern formulation of the life-as-fire metaphor

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1997; 45:221-247.

  The polish title: Życie jest plazmą: Współczesna postać metafory życia jako ognia In the antiquity, the essence of life processes was considered a kind of creative fire (Heraclitus, the Stoa). Also, in modern times, some concepts were formulated according to which a common fire was supposed to be e... [more] The polish title: Życie jest plazmą: Współczesna postać metafory życia jako ognia In the antiquity, the essence of life processes was considered a kind of creative fire (Heraclitus, the Stoa). Also, in modern times, some concepts were formulated according to which a common fire was supposed to be essential for life (E. Pflüger, W. Preyer). However, results of some investigations carried out in the last decades indicate that the range of essential factors constituting life is richer and involves many physical processes, as well as chemical and informational ones. Although combustion may not be considered as the basic factor constituting life, the phrase "life is fire" may now be regarded as a heuristically {very} fruitful metaphor. It has been shown that both fire and physical plasma share many features. Moreover, there are also properties that are common to fire, plasma and life (Tables 1, 2, and 3). In this regard, no wonder that concepts were put forward, claiming the existence of a specific type of physical plasma unique to life itself. This new state of matter was termed bioplasma (W. Sedlak 1967, W. M. Inyushin et al. 1968). So far, the existence of this specific type of plasma has not yet been proven experimentally. Therefore, in the present work the following objectives were set: 1) identifying the common as well as differentiating features of fire, plasma and life and, on the basis of these data, 2) showing that if the claim of the existence of bioplasma was a metaphor only, it may function as a modern and deepened re-formulation of the ancient life-as-fire metaphor. This life-as-plasma metaphor should give rise to a new class of models of the living systems. It may be hoped that by providing even such results, the value of the bioplasma concept will be established in modern science.

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• Postulates for ecoconsumption in the light of the current knowledge in the area of bioelectromagnetics

  J. Zon

  Człowiek i Przyroda. 03/1996; 4:103-115.

  The title in Polish: Postulaty pod adresem elektrokonsumpcji wynikające z obecnego stanu wiedzy w zakresie bioelektromagnetyki There is a plenitude of the sources of artificial electromagnetic radiation in the present environment. Most of them belong to the following categories: • systems of electr... [more] The title in Polish: Postulaty pod adresem elektrokonsumpcji wynikające z obecnego stanu wiedzy w zakresie bioelektromagnetyki There is a plenitude of the sources of artificial electromagnetic radiation in the present environment. Most of them belong to the following categories: • systems of electric power generation and distribution (the sources of the 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields), • electrically powered industrial facilities, home appliances and devices, wireless telecommunication devices, • radio and television broadcasting stations, • military equipment, and audio- visual devices used for entertainment and communication. In many studies, done mostly in the epidemiology as well as in the experimental area, it has been shown that artificially produced electromagnetic fields, even the very weak ones, are probably not neutral for the environment - many serious illnesses may be tied up to their presence. In this connection, some objections have been raised to this conclusion, pointing mainly to the weaknesses of the statistical procedures, as well as to the lack of the acceptable biophysical theory underlying such effects. In this situation, when the safety of ubiquitously present electrically driven devices and installations has been seriously challenged, some practical measures ought to be taken. First, both empirical and theoretical studies on the mechanisms and effects of electromagnetic fields on biosystems should be continued - despite of the claims to stop them and to relocate the financial support to other ends of study. Second, the society should be informed about the results of the ongoing debate, yet taking any of the extreme positions - namely, the „electrophobia” or „active ignorance” - should be discouraged. Third, more attention should be paid to finding (or even creating) such locations, where artificial electromagnetic background is relatively low and well defined. This will be in line with the requirements of a too little known area of electrobioclimatology (Fisher 1976). Fourth, the overwhelming opinion that electrical energy is the „cleanest” form of it, should be revised. If taken in its entirety (the primary sources of energy, the materials and environment-damaging technologies used for manufacturing the devices, metals used for manufacturing the pylons, cables and wiring, and - finally - electromagnetic fields that have been generated), it has to be considered as seriously harmful for environment. Fifth, attempts at changing some habits should also been undertaken: • one should economize on electrical energy, • measures should be taken to diminish the all unnecessary consumption of it (automatically or manually switching the devices to the energy-saving mode), • avoiding the unnecessary long staying in the places where the level of artificial fields is high should be recommended. Sixth, the fields generated by all electrical devices available on the marked should be precisely characterized. The information on them should be made easily available, e.g. at a site in the computer network.

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• The doctrine of pneuma of the Old Stoa and the bioplasma concept. II. The properties and functions of pneuma and bioplasma in the animate nature - [In Polish]

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1995; 43:99-125.

  The title in Polish: Doktryna pneumy a koncepcja bioplazmy. II. Własności i funkcje pneumy i plazmy fizycznej w świecie ożywionym A comparison was made between the concept of bioplasma put forward in the realm of the present biophysics and the doctrine of pneuma of the Old Stoa. It was shown that b... [more] The title in Polish: Doktryna pneumy a koncepcja bioplazmy. II. Własności i funkcje pneumy i plazmy fizycznej w świecie ożywionym A comparison was made between the concept of bioplasma put forward in the realm of the present biophysics and the doctrine of pneuma of the Old Stoa. It was shown that both of them were considered as unifying factors throughout the cosmos as a whole, as well as all animated and unanimated beings. Pneuma and bioplasma are seen as performing similar essential biological functions as: the overall control of bioprocesses, putting them in direct contact with the rest of the world. Yet, both concepts ought not be compared directly. The reason being that in the Old Stoa pneuma is dealt with in the philosophical manner. Having bodily nature, it is the active principle, imbuing all beings with their specific qualities: the plants, animals, man, and eventually the whole Universe with life, sensitivity, and reason. On the other hand, the concept of bioplasma is formulated primarily in the domain of natural sciences. In the author's opinion the last of the three of its formulations (i.e. the "orthodox physical", W. S. Iniushin's, and W. Sedlak's one), is closest to the sense of the Stoic doctrine of pneuma.

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• Bioelectromagnetics and ethics. Some moral questions related to the electromagnetic pollution of the environment

  J. Zon

  Ethos. 01/1994; 7.

  The title in Polish: Bioelektromagnetyka i etyka. Niektóre kwestie moralne związane ze skażeniem elektromagnetycznym środowiska Environment is a common good. The process of the destruction of the primeval state of its electromagnetic component has been taking place on the scale of the whole Earth. ... [more] The title in Polish: Bioelektromagnetyka i etyka. Niektóre kwestie moralne związane ze skażeniem elektromagnetycznym środowiska Environment is a common good. The process of the destruction of the primeval state of its electromagnetic component has been taking place on the scale of the whole Earth. It may well be claimed that the extent of it surpasses the destruction of the natural environment in the chemical domain. Therefore, there is a moral obligation not only closely follow the results of the investigation in the domain of science, but also - where the social and political context of scientific study is concerned - to trying hard to ensure that the discussion on the possible risk (or risk/benefit relation) is honestly conducted.

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• Bioelectronics: A babckground area for biomicroelectronics in the science of bioelectricity

  J. R. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1986; 34:183-201.

  Bioelectronics is a branch, of science of bioelectricity dealing with biological systems and life processes from the angle of either physical or applied electronics with an aim to describe the electronic properties of biosystems and to establish their role in physiological phenomena, including the c... [more] Bioelectronics is a branch, of science of bioelectricity dealing with biological systems and life processes from the angle of either physical or applied electronics with an aim to describe the electronic properties of biosystems and to establish their role in physiological phenomena, including the coupling that exists between the biological systems and their environment. Quantum biochemistry, physics of biological solid stat e, and the studies in the dependence of organisms on the external factors which may be realized with the involvement of the electronic features of bio- structures have been the three domains mainly contributing to the bioelectronic research. Because of the difficulties stemming from the complexity of organisms as well as from the lack of methodological and semantical studies, bioelectronics as a whole seems presently to be in a phase of slowing down its development. This does not hold true, however, as far as the development of biomicroelectronics a new subdomain in bioelectronics, is concerned. In fact, this biology-oriented counterpart of molecular electronics has been inherent in most of the bioelectronic studies since the very beginning of this discipline.

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• Electronic conductivity in biological membrane

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1983; 31:165-183.

  The article reviews the works devoted to the study of electronic processes in natural biomembranes which may be considered as the evidence of their electronic conductivity. The main theoretical reasons for this type of conductivity (i.e. realized by electrons, holes or electrons and holes as charge ... [more] The article reviews the works devoted to the study of electronic processes in natural biomembranes which may be considered as the evidence of their electronic conductivity. The main theoretical reasons for this type of conductivity (i.e. realized by electrons, holes or electrons and holes as charge carriers) are: 1) in biochemical redox reactions electrons are transferred between molecules, at times at substantial distances (e.g. electrostenolysis), 2) model biological membranes and their components show semiconductive behavior in vitro, it may be expected that these properties may be functional also in living membranes, 3) in electronic semiconduction at least one of the following mechanisms of electron/hole transfer may be involved: a) tunneling, b) excitons, c) energy-band conductivity. In experimental studies the following effects were observed: 1) exponential rise of conductivity accompanying the rise in temperature of the samples, 2) photoelectric effects in the visible range of the spectrum, 3) thermoelectric behavior, 4) extremely fast response to the pulses of light that cannot be realized by the translocation of ions, and finally: the Hall effect. They may be considered as testifying to the possible involvement of electronic conductivity in vivo. Excluding mitochondria and chloroplasts, as well as the receptors of light – where the crucial role of electron translocations is known - the role of the putative electronic currents is obscure.

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• The living cell as a plasma physical system.

  J R Zon

  Physiological chemistry and physics. 01/1980; 12(4):357-64.

  The question of whether plasma physical phenomena are compatible with biological structures is discussed using as examples the electrons in mitochondria and the electrolytes in cytoplasm interstices. The criteria for the occurrence of the plasma state are fulfilled only if the static dielectric cons... [more] The question of whether plasma physical phenomena are compatible with biological structures is discussed using as examples the electrons in mitochondria and the electrolytes in cytoplasm interstices. The criteria for the occurrence of the plasma state are fulfilled only if the static dielectric constant epsilon r of the medium through which the electrons in mitochondria move is > > 31.55 and if epsilon r of the medium between ions in cytoplasm is > > 90.97 of > > 421.56. Suggestions are made for experiments testing whether plasma physical phenomena might actually exist in the living cell.

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• The occurrence of physical plasma in living structures

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1979; 27:125-134.

  The Polish title: Występowanie plazmy fizycznej w strukturach zywych From the estimations comprised in the article follows that physical plasma can occur in living structures. The density of charge carriers and the value of the static dielectric constant are such, that the two basic conditions of t... [more] The Polish title: Występowanie plazmy fizycznej w strukturach zywych From the estimations comprised in the article follows that physical plasma can occur in living structures. The density of charge carriers and the value of the static dielectric constant are such, that the two basic conditions of the plasma state are satisfied: a) the value of Debye radius does not exceed the linear dimensions of such subcellular structures as mitochondria or cellular nuclei; b) the number of charge carriers contained in a sphere of Debye radius is large enough to enable the occurrence of collective interactions. In the paper the possibility of occurrence of non-degenerate and degenerate plasma in biostructures was also taken into consideration. Attention was paid as well to the particular importance of sufficiently high values of the static dielectric constant for realization of the plasma state in biostructures.

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• Bioelectric aspects of aging processes

  Zon, Jozef

  06/1977

  Degree: Ph.D.

  Supervisor: Sedlak, Wlodzimierz

• The Old Stoa doctrine of pneuma and the concept of bioplasma. I. The properties of pneuma and physical plasma in the ‘inanimate’ nature [– In Polish]

  J. Zon

  Roczniki Filozoficzne. 06/1974; 42:35-64.

  The title in Polish: Starostoicka doktryna pneumy a koncepcja bioplazmy. I. Własnosci pneumy i plazmy fizycznej w świecie „nieożywionym" The philosophers of the Old Stoa claimed that the pneuma, a very subtle fire mixed in various proportions with air, is an essential component of all entities... [more] The title in Polish: Starostoicka doktryna pneumy a koncepcja bioplazmy. I. Własnosci pneumy i plazmy fizycznej w świecie „nieożywionym" The philosophers of the Old Stoa claimed that the pneuma, a very subtle fire mixed in various proportions with air, is an essential component of all entities of the Cosmos, the living ones included. As its qualities were considered to be different from the ordinary fire, they also called pneuma „creative fire". Ubiquitous in the Cosmos and permeating all beings, it was seen as a medium putting all beings in mutual interaction. In the concept of bioplasma an important role is ascribed to physical plasma and striking similarities may be noticed between this concept and the doctrine of pneuma. It was resolved therefore to give these parallels a closer examination. In this article the consideration was given to the properties and role of pneuma and physical plasma in the "inanimate" world. The similarities and differences are identified and discussed. As far as the first ones are concerned, both pneuma and plasma are considered to be very subtle, ubiquitous, primordial, vibrating, and permeating other states. Both pneuma and plasma are considered as primary in the critical periods of the global changes of the Universe: i.e. in the phase of ekpyrosis and after the Big-bang, respectively. Yet, many essential differences should not be overlooked. First of all, the pneuma concept is of philosophical nature, describing and consequently explaining also natural phenomena. To the Old Stoa the whole Cosmos is a living, conscious, and rational being: pneuma in it acting as the body governing the global changes of the Cosmos, as well as the changes of the individual beings (spermatikoi logoi). None of these qualities may be ascribed to physical plasma.

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