PhilSci Archive

A mechanism that realizes strong emergence

van Hateren, J. H. (2021) A mechanism that realizes strong emergence. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
strongly_emergent_cause.pdf

Download (250kB) | Preview

Abstract

The causal efficacy of a material system is usually thought to be produced by the law-like actions and interactions of its constituents. Here, a specific system is constructed and explained that produces a cause that cannot be understood in this way, but instead has novel and autonomous efficacy. The construction establishes a proof-of-feasibility of strong emergence. The system works by utilizing randomness in a targeted and cyclical way, and by relying on sustained evolution by natural selection. It is not vulnerable to standard arguments against strong emergence, in particular ones that assume that the physical realm is causally closed. Moreover, it does not suffer from epiphenomenalism or causal overdetermination. The system uses only standard material components and processes, and is fully consistent with naturalism. It is discussed whether the emergent cause can still be viewed as 'material' in the way that term is commonly understood.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
van Hateren, J. H.j.h.van.hateren@rug.nl0000-0002-4235-4734
Additional Information: Accepted for publication in Synthese
Keywords: strong emergence; causation; materialism; physicalism; indeterminacy; evolution
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Laws of Nature
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Depositing User: Dr. J. H. van Hateren
Date Deposited: 28 Jul 2021 02:54
Last Modified: 28 Jul 2021 02:54
Item ID: 19372
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
General Issues > Laws of Nature
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Date: 2021
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19372

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item