EOTP lexicon: Emergence Theory

Emergence Theory is a concept in philosophy, systems theory, and science that deals with complex systems where higher-order complexity and properties emerge from the interactions of simpler constituent parts. Emergence suggests that the behavior of complex systems cannot be fully understood solely by analyzing their individual components. Instead, new properties and behaviors emerge at higher levels of complexity that are not predictable from the properties at simpler levels. Click here for more detailed research

Notable Contributors to Emergence Theory:

John Stuart Mill: One of the earliest discussions of emergent properties can be found in the 19th-century work of John Stuart Mill, particularly in his book "System of Logic."

C. D. Broad: A 20th-century philosopher, Broad developed the philosophical underpinnings of emergence in his book "The Mind and its Place in Nature."

Philip Anderson: A Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Anderson's 1972 paper "More is Different" in the journal Science, is a seminal work that discusses how different levels of complexity in physics give rise to new phenomena and laws.

George Henry Lewes: A philosopher and critic, Lewes is credited with coining the term "emergent" in his book "Problems of Life and Mind." Modern Development: In modern times, Emergence Theory has been developed further by numerous scientists and philosophers across various fields like physics, biology, computer science, and sociology. It is a multidisciplinary concept that is continually being expanded and refined.

Note on Attribution: Emergence Theory, being a broad and integrative concept, does not have a single author or a small group of authors but is rather a synthesis of ideas contributed by many thinkers over time. It's an ongoing and evolving area of study, with new theories and applications emerging in various scientific and philosophical domains.