The concept of ‘emergence’ in complex systems, where the whole is more than the sum of its parts, has been extensively studied in various fields. This includes instances like murmurations of starlings or the construction of ant megacities. The emergence of phenomena in these systems cannot be explained by analyzing individual components in isolation. The understanding of how these emergent effects occur is still a subject of intense scientific research, although progress has been made in this area, with research institutes like the Santa Fe Institute focusing on complexity and emergence.
Physical constraints play a crucial role in producing emergent effects in complex systems. The physical makeup of systems introduces constraints that dictate their functional capabilities and limits. Physical objects at any scale, whether designed or naturally occurring, behave according to the physics at that specific scale. Although interactions with other objects can influence behavior, these interactions are simply additional physical constraints that can impact the system. Neurons in the brain provide a concrete example of this concept, where individual components like neurons contribute to the system as a whole by passing and integrating information at different scales of organization.
When considering a single neuron in the brain, it is made up of different components that functionally perform specific computations, but it acts independently from other components around it. Every component interacts with others based on its physical makeup and capabilities. The information passed along by these components leads to self-initiated reorganization at a higher level of organization within the system, resulting in a new functional context for that information. This self-reorganization is governed by the physical makeup and constraints of the components at that higher level, leading to emergent properties that are unique to that level.
The transfer and reorganization of information across different scales of the brain contribute to emergent properties like self-awareness and consciousness. Despite extensive research, understanding the emergence of these properties remains a challenge, with some aspects still considered ‘magical’. The information flow within the brain follows a path of ‘least resistance’ determined by the hierarchical constraints imposed by the physics of the system. The self-referential emergent properties like self-awareness and consciousness result from the complex interactions and information processing that occur across different scales of organization in the brain.
Overall, the concept of emergence highlights the importance of considering systems as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual components. By understanding how emergent effects occur in complex systems, researchers can gain insights into phenomena like self-awareness and consciousness. While there is still much to learn about the mechanisms behind emergence, ongoing scientific research and advancements in various fields continue to shed light on this fascinating aspect of complex systems.
