A perspective on emergence

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
1 message Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

A perspective on emergence

Tom Johnson
Perhaps of interest to some of the gang.
http://myweb.fsu.edu/jastallins/courses/research/emergence.pdf

-tj


Eliminating the mystery from the concept of emergence
Brian R. Johnson
Received: 30 August 2009 / Accepted: 9 August 2010 / Published online: 11 September 2010

Abstract
While some branches of complexity theory are advancing rapidly, the
same cannot be said for our understanding of emergence. Despite a complete
knowledge of the rules underlying the interactions between the parts of many
systems, we are often baffled by their sudden transitions from simple to complex.
Here I propose a solution to this conceptual problem. Given that emergence is often
the result of many interactions occurring simultaneously in time and space, an
ability to intuitively grasp it would require the ability to consciously think in parallel.
A simple exercise is used to demonstrate that we do not possess this ability.
Our surprise at the behaviour of cellular automata models, and the natural cases of
pattern formation they mimic, is then explained from this perspective. This work
suggests that the cognitive limitations of the mind can be as significant a barrier to
scientific progress as the limitations of our senses.

Keywords Emergence  Complexity theory  Pattern formation 
Cellular automata  Parallel processing

--
==========================================
J. T. Johnson
Institute for Analytic Journalism   --   Santa Fe, NM USA
www.analyticjournalism.com
505.577.6482(c)                                    505.473.9646(h)
http://www.jtjohnson.com                  [hidden email]
==========================================

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org