Definition:
Emergence describes the phenomenon in which the interaction of simple components or processes at a lower level gives rise to new, more complex properties or behaviours at a higher level that cannot be directly derived or predicted from the properties of the individual components.
Discussion:
- Historical perspective:
The term ‘emergence’ was coined by George Henry Lewes at the end of the 19th century, but the concept has deeper roots. Mill (1843) already discussed the idea that the interaction of causes can lead to effects that cannot be derived from the individual causes [1].
- Philosophical foundations:
In philosophy, emergence is often discussed in the context of the mind-body problem. Broad (1925) argued that mental properties are emergent phenomena that are not reducible to physical properties [2].
- Weak and strong emergence:
David Chalmers (2006) distinguishes between weak and strong emergence [3]:
- Weak emergence: Emergent phenomena are unexpected patterns or behaviours that arise from the underlying processes but can in principle be derived from them.
- Strong emergence: Emergent phenomena are fundamentally new and cannot be derived or predicted from the basic components.
- Emergence in complex systems:
Emergence is a key concept in the theory of complex systems. Holland (1998) describes how emergence occurs in adaptive systems and leads to novel structures and behaviours [4].
- Biological perspective:
In biology, emergence is often discussed in the context of evolution and the emergence of life. Kauffman (1993) argues that life itself is an emergent phenomenon that arises from the self-organisation of complex chemical systems [5].
- Cognitive science perspective:
In cognitive science, consciousness is often regarded as an emergent phenomenon. In their theory of enactivism, Varela et al. (1991) describe how cognition arises as an emergent phenomenon from the dynamic interaction between brain, body and environment [6].
- Social science perspective:
In the social sciences, emergence is used to explain collective phenomena. Sawyer (2005) argues that social structures and cultural phenomena emerge as emergent properties from interactions at the micro level [7].
- Emergence in artificial intelligence:
In AI research, emergence is an important concept for understanding and developing complex intelligent systems. Mitchell (2009) discusses how emergent properties can occur in artificial neural networks and other AI systems [8].
- Emergence and entropy:
There is an interesting relationship between emergence and entropy. While entropy is often associated with disorder, emergence can be understood as a process by which local order emerges. Prigogine and Stengers (1984) discuss how dissipative structures can generate emergent order in systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium [9].
- Emergence and synchronisation:
Synchronisation can be understood as a mechanism that leads to emergent phenomena. Strogatz (2003) describes how synchronised behaviour in various systems, from fireflies to neurons, can lead to emergent patterns at higher levels [10].
- Criticism and controversy:
The concept of emergence is not uncontroversial. Some scientists argue that emergence is merely a placeholder for our lack of understanding of complex systems. Others see it as a fundamental principle of nature.
Summary:
Emergence is a versatile and powerful concept that helps us to understand the emergence of complexity and novelty in different systems. It provides a bridge between reductionist and holistic approaches and is central to our understanding of phenomena ranging from the emergence of consciousness to the development of social structures.
In relation to our earlier discussions of resonant spaces and the emergence of collective representations, emergence can be understood as a key mechanism by which shared ideas and behaviours emerge from the interactions of individual actors. It also provides a conceptual framework for understanding how new forms of intelligence and social organisation might emerge from the interaction between humans and machines.
Literature:
[1] Mill, J. S. (1843). A System of Logic, Ratiocinative and Inductive. John W. Parker.
[2] Broad, C. D. (1925). The Mind and Its Place in Nature. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
[3] Chalmers, D. J. (2006). Strong and weak emergence. The re-emergence of emergence, 244-256.
[4] Holland, J. H. (1998). Emergence: From chaos to order. Oxford University Press.
[5] Kauffman, S. A. (1993). The origins of order: Self-organization and selection in evolution. Oxford University Press.
[6] Varela, F. J., Thompson, E., & Rosch, E. (1991). The embodied mind: Cognitive science and human experience. MIT Press.
[7] Sawyer, R. K. (2005). Social emergence: Societies as complex systems. Cambridge University Press.
[8] Mitchell, M. (2009). Complexity: A guided tour. Oxford University Press.
[9] Prigogine, I., & Stengers, I. (1984). Order out of chaos: Man’s new dialogue with nature. Bantam Books.
[10] Strogatz, S. (2003). Sync: The emerging science of spontaneous order. Hyperion.