The Re-Emergence of Emergence: The Emergentist Hypothesis from Science to ReligionPhilip Clayton, Paul Davies Much of the modern period was dominated by a `reductionist' theory of science. On this view, to explain any event in the world is to reduce it down to fundamental particles, laws, and forces. In recent years reductionism has been dramatically challenged by a radically new paradigm called `emergence'. According to this new theory, natural history reveals the continuous emergence of novel phenomena: new structures and new organisms with new causal powers. Consciousness is yet onemore emergent level in the natural hierarchy. Many theologians and religious scholars believe that this new paradigm may offer new insights into the nature of God and God's relation to the world.This volume introduces readers to emergence theory, outlines the major arguments in its defence, and summarizes the most powerful objections against it. Written by experts but suitable as an introductory text, these essays provide the best available presentation of this exciting new field and its potentially momentous implications. |
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The Re-emergence of Emergence: The Emergentist Hypothesis from Science to ... Philip Clayton,Paul Davies No preview available - 2006 |
The Re-Emergence of Emergence:The Emergentist Hypothesis from Science to ... Philip Clayton,Paul Davies No preview available - 2006 |
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ampliWcation argue Arthur Peacocke atoms aVect behaviour biology bonobos bottom-up brain Cambridge causal eYcacy causal powers causally eVective cell chimpanzees classical cognitive complex systems components concept consciousness constitute conWguration Deacon decoherence determined deWned deWnition diVerent downward causation dynamics emer emergence theories emergent phenomena emergent properties emergentism emergentist environment eVects evolution evolutionary example existence explanation feedback female–female females fundamental global God’s hierarchy higher-level higher-order human individual interactions inXuence irreducible logic low-level lower-level males mental causation mental properties metaphysical mind molecular molecules morphodynamic nature neural neurons objects ontological emergence organism Oxford particles patterns philosophical physicalist principle processes quantum mechanics quantum theory reality realization reducible reductionism reductionist relation relationships religious result reXection role scientiWc selection self-organizing sense signiWcant social speciWc strong emergence structure supervenience suYcient theism theology thermodynamic top-down University Press wave function weak emergence Weld whole–part Wnal Wrangham Wrst