Emergent evolution

Emergent evolution

Emergent evolution is the hypothesis that, in the course of evolution, some entirely new properties, such as life and consciousness, appear at certain critical points, usually because of an unpredictable rearrangement of the already existing entities. The concept has influenced the development of systems theory and complexity theory.

Historical context

The word "emergent" was first used to describe the concept by George Lewes in volume two of his 1875 book "Problems of Life and Mind" (p. 412). Henri Bergson covered similar themes in the popular book "Creative Evolution" in 1907. It was further developed by Samuel Alexander in his Gifford Lectures at Glasgow during 1916–18 and published as "Space, Time, and Deity" (1920). The term "emergent evolution" was coined by C. Lloyd Morgan in his own Gifford lectures of 1921–22 at St. Andrews and published as "Emergent Evolution" (1923). In an appendix to one lecture in his book, Morgan acknowledged the contributions of Roy Wood Sellars' "Evolutionary Naturalism" (1922).

References

*George H. Lewes, "Problems of Life and Mind", First Series: The Foundations of a Creed, vol. II (1875). University of Michigan Library: ISBN 1425555780
*Henri Bergson, "Creative Evolution" (1911, English translation of "L'Evolution créatrice"), Dover Publications 1998: ISBN 0-486-40036-0
*Samuel Alexander, "Space, Time, and Deity" (1920). Kessinger Publishing reprint: ISBN 0766187020 [http://www.giffordlectures.org/Browse.asp?PubID=TPSTAD&
]
*C. Lloyd Morgan, "Emergent Evolution" (1923). Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0-40460468-4, [http://www.giffordlectures.org/Browse.asp?PubID=TPEMEV&
]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • emergent evolution — n evolution which according to some biological and philosophical theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities (as life and consciousness) at more complex levels of organization (as the cell or organism) which cannot be… …   Medical dictionary

  • emergent evolution — emergent evolution. См. эмерджентная эволюция. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • emergent evolution — noun the appearance of entirely new properties at certain critical stages in the course of evolution • Hypernyms: ↑evolution, ↑organic evolution, ↑phylogeny, ↑phylogenesis * * * noun : evolution conceived as characterized by the appearance at… …   Useful english dictionary

  • emergent evolution — noun Date: 1923 evolution that according to some theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities at complex levels of organization (as the cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from the study of less complex levels… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • emergent evolution — the origin of entirely new properties at certain critical stages or levels in the course of evolution, as multicellular organisms, sexual reproduction, or nervous systems. [1920 25] * * * …   Universalium

  • emergent evolution — /əˌmɜdʒənt ɛvəˈluʃən/ (say uh.merjuhnt evuh loohshuhn) noun the appearance of entirely new properties at certain critical stages or levels in the course of evolution, e.g. the origin of multicellular organisms, of nervous systems, psychic… …  

  • emergent evolution — noun The theory that some aspects are observable in a high level view of a complex system but barely deducible from the description of its components …   Wiktionary

  • EMERGENT EVOLUTION —    the idea that out of inert MATTER, life and consciousness eventually emerge ultimately evolving to a DIVINE godlike state …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • Emergent — usually refers to emergence, or its belief system emergentism.It may also mean:* Emergent (software), Neural Simulation Software * Emergent (album), a 2003 album by Gordian Knot * emergent plant, a plant which grows in water but which pierces the …   Wikipedia

  • emergent — 1. Arising suddenly and unexpectedly, calling for quick judgment and prompt action. 2. Coming out; leaving a cavity or other part. * * * emer·gent i mər jənt adj calling for prompt or urgent action <an emergent condition in a hemophiliac> * …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”