Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems
Abstract: The formation of complex systems is accompanied by the emergence of properties that are non-existent in the components. But what of the properties and behaviour of such components caught up in the formation of a system of a higher level of complexity? In this assay, we use a large variety...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2000-02-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/2/1/1/ |
| _version_ | 1798043098027130880 |
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| author | Lemont B. Kier Bernard Testa |
| author_facet | Lemont B. Kier Bernard Testa |
| author_sort | Lemont B. Kier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract: The formation of complex systems is accompanied by the emergence of properties that are non-existent in the components. But what of the properties and behaviour of such components caught up in the formation of a system of a higher level of complexity? In this assay, we use a large variety of examples, from molecules to organisms and beyond, to show that systems merging into a complex system of higher order experience constraints with a partial loss of choice, options and independence. In other words, emergence in a complex system often implies reduction in the number of probable states of its components, a phenomenon we term dissolvence. This is seen in atoms when they merge to form molecules, in biomolecules when they form macromolecules such as proteins, and in macromolecules when they form aggregates such as molecular machines or membranes. At higher biological levels, dissolvence occurs for example in components of cells (e.g. organelles), tissues (cells), organs (tissues), organisms (organs) and societies (individuals). Far from being a destruction, dissolvence is understood here as a creative process in which information is generated to fuel the process of self-organisation of complex systems, allowing them to appear and evolve to higher states of organisation and emergence. Questions are raised about the relationship of dissolvence and adaptability; the interrelation with top-down causation; the reversibility of dissolvence; and the connection between dissolvence and anticipation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:44:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f8ced3474fc54364a04890cbc1ff54c2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:44:51Z |
| publishDate | 2000-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-f8ced3474fc54364a04890cbc1ff54c22022-12-22T03:58:48ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002000-02-012112510.3390/e2010001Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex SystemsLemont B. KierBernard TestaAbstract: The formation of complex systems is accompanied by the emergence of properties that are non-existent in the components. But what of the properties and behaviour of such components caught up in the formation of a system of a higher level of complexity? In this assay, we use a large variety of examples, from molecules to organisms and beyond, to show that systems merging into a complex system of higher order experience constraints with a partial loss of choice, options and independence. In other words, emergence in a complex system often implies reduction in the number of probable states of its components, a phenomenon we term dissolvence. This is seen in atoms when they merge to form molecules, in biomolecules when they form macromolecules such as proteins, and in macromolecules when they form aggregates such as molecular machines or membranes. At higher biological levels, dissolvence occurs for example in components of cells (e.g. organelles), tissues (cells), organs (tissues), organisms (organs) and societies (individuals). Far from being a destruction, dissolvence is understood here as a creative process in which information is generated to fuel the process of self-organisation of complex systems, allowing them to appear and evolve to higher states of organisation and emergence. Questions are raised about the relationship of dissolvence and adaptability; the interrelation with top-down causation; the reversibility of dissolvence; and the connection between dissolvence and anticipation.http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/2/1/1/property spaceemergent propertiesdissolvenceinformationself-organisationcomplex systemscomplexity |
| spellingShingle | Lemont B. Kier Bernard Testa Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems Entropy property space emergent properties dissolvence information self-organisation complex systems complexity |
| title | Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems |
| title_full | Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems |
| title_fullStr | Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems |
| title_short | Emergence and Dissolvence in the Self-organisation of Complex Systems |
| title_sort | emergence and dissolvence in the self organisation of complex systems |
| topic | property space emergent properties dissolvence information self-organisation complex systems complexity |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/2/1/1/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lemontbkier emergenceanddissolvenceintheselforganisationofcomplexsystems AT bernardtesta emergenceanddissolvenceintheselforganisationofcomplexsystems |