Emergence
Chapter 1 - Worldview
Previous page: The emergent dimension - Emergence - Next page: Agency
Back to Book or directly to Main Page
.
Welcome to the Emergence page
.
Key takeaways
- Emergence occurs when an entity exhibits properties or behaviours that the individual parts do not possess, that cannot be predicted or fully explained by analysing those parts in isolation, and which only become apparent when they interact with each other in context. An example is the properties of 'water' when hydrogen and oxygen can react with each other
.
Core ideas
The idea of emergence challenges reductionism, which suggests that complex systems can be understood by breaking them down into their individual parts and studying them in isolation. Instead, emergent properties suggest that the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and understanding complex systems requires understanding the relationships among the parts and how they interact. Emergent phenomena are conceptualised as occurring at the macro level, in contrast to the micro-level components and processes from which they arise. It is a fundamental concept that can be observed in a wide range of systems, from mechanical and biological domains to its appearance in cultural and political spheres, and accounts for phenomena such as hurricanes, ecosystems, complex organisms like humans, and traffic congestion and organisational culture.
.
Kinds of emergence
Weak emergence
The (weak) emergent property is, in principle, derivable from its lower-level components, but this derivation often requires complex and computationally irreducible simulations. The emergent level is epistemically (knowledge) novel yet ontologically (in reality) reducible; for instance, traffic jams, flocking behaviour, and thermodynamic temperature illustrate this.
Strong emergence
The (strong) emergent property involves genuinely novel causal powers not derivable from the parts. It may even causally influence those lower-level constituents (a process known as downward causation ). The emergent level is both epistemically (knowledge) and ontologically (in reality) irreducible. Language, consciousness, culture are the most commonly cited candidates.
Structural emergence
Structural emergence occurs when, given a set of boundary conditions and a particular type of constituents, a system produces higher-order patterns and properties which can be traced back to a general structural overview. This type of emergence is typically studied in physics and chemistry bur it also appears in biology and sociology. (Structural) emergence arises where macro-patterns arise lawfully from many interacting units under specific and identifiable conditions.
Organisational emergence
Organisational emergence is marked by the appearance of functional differentiation and integration, contributing to the self-maintenance of a system. An organised system is one in which a diversity of components or processes can be distinguished as differentially contributing to sustaining the system in a coordinated (integrated) manner. The hallmark of organisational emergence is not merely a new property that a law can capture, but rather the constitution of an autonomous, self-sustaining whole. Examples include living organisms, ecosystems, and human organisations, in which subsystems play specialised roles that maintain the viability of the overall system.
.
Examples
My personal favourite, traffic. Driving a car is a great example of an emergent property in action. It involves the interaction of various parts of the car, the driver, and the environment. The car itself is a complex system composed of many interconnected components, including the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and tyres. Each of these parts has a specific function and interacts with the others in a coordinated way to produce the emergent property of driving. The emergent property of driving arises from the coordinated interaction of all these parts – the car, the driver, the other drivers and the environment – in a way that cannot be predicted or reduced to the properties of any individual part in isolation. It is a complex system in which the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
.
Art is another example of an emergent property because each brush stroke, colour choice, and compositional decision made by the artist interacts with one another to create the final artwork. Furthermore, the viewer’s interpretation and experience of the artwork are also emergent properties. Each individual brings their unique perspective and understanding to the artwork, influenced by their own.
.
Organisational culture is an emergent property that arises from the complex interactions among an organisation's components. It evolves from the beliefs, behaviours, values, and practices of individuals within the organisation. Various aspects of the organisation, such as people, processes, structure, and environment, contribute to the emergence of organisational culture. These elements interact in intricate ways to give rise to the organisation's unique culture.
.
Our embodiment is an emergent property because it arises from the interactions between many different body parts. For example, the heart, lungs, and circulatory system work together to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in the body. The digestive system takes in food and extracts nutrients, which the body uses for energy and growth. The nervous system coordinates all of the body’s functions and allows us to perceive and respond to our environment. The immune system protects the body against disease and infection. All these different parts of the body interact in complex ways, giving rise to the emergent property of life.
.