Dear TOK List,

  As this blog suggests<https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/202004/strong-emergence-is-valid-concept>, one of the big philosophy of science issues the ToK System addresses is the issue of emergence. In particular, it offers a clear framework for the distinction between weak emergence and strong emergence.

  Weak emergence refers to the properties that emerge as a function of the constituent parts. Strong emergence is a different idea. It suggests that fundamentally new cause-effect processes emerge, which result in what people refer to as top-down or downward causation.

  For those interested in these issues, I recommend the following.

  First, here is an interesting article on some developments in quantum chemistry.
https://www.realclearscience.com/2020/04/24/simulations_offer_possibility_of_039solving_chemistry039_290381.html
The Tree of Knowledge theory of knowledge considers chemistry to be weakly emergent relative to physics. That is, chemistry does not give rise to new causal forces in nature, but reflects the emergence of constituent properties. This means that there can be considered a "reductive line" from chemistry down into physics, and that is evident in the logic and findings of this article. This is represented in the "vision logic" of the ToK System by the fact that it is a single cone.

  Second, here is a podcast where Jim Rutt interviews complexity theorist and ethologist Jennifer Flack. She has good ideas on complex adaptive behavior and downward causation (although I don't think agree with her understanding of consciousness or free will). The point I would emphasize is that her model of theoretical biology explicates how "information processing subjects" (i.e., which would include things like cells) interpret forms in the environment to guide behavior toward particular outcomes (i.e., final causes). This cybernetic/information processing/communication adaptive dynamic systems way of understanding biological behavior is what makes it so different from chemistry. This is why it is represented as a different cone of complexity and why biology is STRONGLY emergent from chemistry, as opposed to just weakly emergent.
https://www.jimruttshow.com/jessica-flack/

  Put these two together and you start to see a proper theory of emergence.

Best,
Gregg

___________________________________________
Gregg Henriques, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Graduate Psychology
216 Johnston Hall
MSC 7401
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-7857 (phone)
(540) 568-4747 (fax)

Be that which enhances dignity and well-being with integrity.
Check out my Theory of Knowledge blog at Psychology Today at:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/theory-knowledge

Check out my webpage at:
www.gregghenriques.com<http://www.gregghenriques.com>





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