Abstract
One approach to characterizing the elusive notion of emergence is to define that a property is emergent if and only if its presence can be derived but only by simulation. In this paper I investigate the pros and cons of this approach, focusing in particular on whether an appropriately distinct boundary can be drawn between simulation-based and non-simulation-based methods. I also examine the implications of this definition for the epistemological role of emergent properties in prediction and in explanation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bedau, M.A.: Weak Emergence. Philosophical Perspectives, Mind, Causation, and World 11, 375–399 (1997)
Bedau, M.A.: Downward Causation and the Autonomy of Weak Emergence. Principia Revista Internacional de Epistemologica 6, 5–50 (2003)
Symons, J.: Computational Models of Emergent Properties. Minds and Machines (forthcoming)
Ronald, E.M.A., Sipper, M., Capcarrère, M.S.: Design, Observation, Surprise! A Test of Emergence. Artificial Life 5, 225–239 (1999)
Berlekamp, E.R., Conway, J.H., Guy, R.K.: Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays, vol. 2. Academic Press, New York (1982)
Poundstone, W.: The Recursive Universe. Contemporary Books, Chicago (1985)
Humphries, P.: Synchronic and Diachronic Emergence. Minds and Machines (forthcoming)
Rasmussen, S., Barrett, C.L.: Elements of a Theory of Simulation. In: Morán, F., Merelo, J.J., Moreno, A., Chacon, P. (eds.) ECAL 1995. LNCS, vol. 929. Springer, Heidelberg (1995)
Stephan, A.: The Dual Role of ‘Emergence’ in the Philosophy of Mind and in Cognitive Science. Synthese 151, 485–498 (2006)
Tegmark, M.: The Mathematical Universe, arXiv: 0704.0646v2
Shapiro, S.: Philosophy of Mathematics: Structure and Ontology. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1997)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 ICST Institute for Computer Science, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering
About this paper
Cite this paper
Baker, A. (2009). Emergence and Simulation. In: Zhou, J. (eds) Complex Sciences. Complex 2009. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02469-6_75
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02469-6_75
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-02468-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-02469-6
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)