Skip to main content

Emergence and Simulation

  • Conference paper
Complex Sciences (Complex 2009)

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1638 Accesses

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

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Bedau, M.A.: Weak Emergence. Philosophical Perspectives, Mind, Causation, and World 11, 375–399 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bedau, M.A.: Downward Causation and the Autonomy of Weak Emergence. Principia Revista Internacional de Epistemologica 6, 5–50 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Symons, J.: Computational Models of Emergent Properties. Minds and Machines (forthcoming)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ronald, E.M.A., Sipper, M., Capcarrère, M.S.: Design, Observation, Surprise! A Test of Emergence. Artificial Life 5, 225–239 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Berlekamp, E.R., Conway, J.H., Guy, R.K.: Winning Ways for Your Mathematical Plays, vol. 2. Academic Press, New York (1982)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  6. Poundstone, W.: The Recursive Universe. Contemporary Books, Chicago (1985)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. Humphries, P.: Synchronic and Diachronic Emergence. Minds and Machines (forthcoming)

    Google Scholar 

  8. 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)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  9. Stephan, A.: The Dual Role of ‘Emergence’ in the Philosophy of Mind and in Cognitive Science. Synthese 151, 485–498 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Tegmark, M.: The Mathematical Universe, arXiv: 0704.0646v2

    Google Scholar 

  11. Shapiro, S.: Philosophy of Mathematics: Structure and Ontology. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1997)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics