TERMS: EMERGENCE


One of the central notions of complexity is partially captured in the old phrase the "whole is greater than the sum of the parts." But there is something even more important: frequently the "sum of the parts" acts in ways that are completely different than the individual parts. For example, have you ever thought about which way a traffic jam moves? The parts of a traffic jam would be cars with people in them like you. You move a little, then stop, maybe speed up for a short distance, slow to a crawl, stop—you remember, right?

This phenomenon is known as emergence—when a new property is exhibited by a complex system that is different than what you might expect from the agents or parts. It is in many ways what is at the center of the most important research in the new sciences:

• How is it that atoms might interact in ways in which cell processes emerge?
• How is it the cells and organs of our body interact in ways from which our very human personalities emerge?
• How is it that the individuals in a company interact in ways in which "organizational personalities" emerge?
• How is it the companies and people interact such that the characteristics of the global economy emerge?