Emergence
The arising of novel properties or behaviors in complex systems that cannot be predicted from the properties of individual components. The whole exhibits characteristics that the parts lack.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 18 chapters:
"Its breathing had slowed but never stopped. Its body temperature had dropped but not fatally. And then, during emergence - the final, supposedly safe phase - it died. The autopsy revealed the cause: insufficient fat reserves."
"...cessions involve coalitions rather than individual combat. 2. Sapolsky, R. M., & Share, L. J. (2004). "A Pacific Culture among Wild Baboons: Its Emergence and Transmission." PLOS Biology, 2(4), e106. - 30-year longitudinal study of olive baboon troops in Kenya demonstrating how leadership style creat..."
"...very hen tests every other hen - 45 contests in 10-hen flock - No pattern recognition yet - High injury rate (20% develop wounds) Day 2-3 (Pattern emergence): - Transitive relationships discovered - If Hen A beat B, and B beat C, others infer A beats C - Contest rate drops 60% - Coalitions form around top..."
"...ly or less (relationship dissolved, coalition nominal only) 3. Conflict Resolution Speed (The punishment vs. forgiveness): - Time from conflict emergence to resolution - Escalation frequency (disputes going to top level) - Grudge accumulation (same issues recurring) Healthy: Conflicts resolved at..."
"...ges - once the embryonic root breaks through the seed coat - there's no going back. Early water uptake can be reversed if the seed dries, but radicle emergence is the commitment point. After that, the seed either becomes a seedling or dies trying. This is why sensor accuracy matters."
And 13 more chapters...
Biological Context
Consciousness emerges from neurons but individual neurons aren't conscious. Ant colony intelligence emerges from simple ant behaviors. Ecosystem properties like stability emerge from species interactions. Emergence means understanding parts isn't sufficient to predict system behavior.
Business Application
Business emergence: organizational culture, market dynamics, and competitive outcomes that cannot be predicted from individual actions but arise from their interaction.