"Self organized systems differ from self-assembled ones as they rely upon a continuous input of energy for maintenance and are far from thermal equilibrium. Classical thermodynamics--successful in the physical sciences do not apply. Instead of self-assembling into the lowest energy state, such as a crystal, energy-dissipating components self-organize into highly complex structures through which there is a constant flux of energy and material."
P.28-29, "Self-organization in biology," BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE: Research Perspectives of the Max Planck Society (2010)