Bishop, Robert C and Atmanspacher, Harald (2006) Contextual Emergence in the Description of Properties. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The role of contingent contexts in formulating relations between properties of systems at different descriptive levels is addressed. Based on the distinction between necessary and sufficient conditions for interlevel relations, a comprehensive classification of such relations is proposed, providing a transparent conceptual framework for discussing particular versions of reduction, emergence, and supervenience. One of these versions, contextual emergence, is demonstrated using two physical examples: molecular structure and chirality, and thermal equilibrium and temperature. The concept of stability is emphasized as a basic guiding principle of contextual property emergence.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bishop, Robert C Atmanspacher, Harald
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Foundations of Physics
Keywords:	contextual emergence, contextual observables, molecular shape, temperature, topology, stability
Subjects:	General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Chemistry Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Dr Robert C. Bishop
Date Deposited:	03 Oct 2006
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:14
Item ID:	2934
Subjects:	General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Chemistry Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	October 2006
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2934

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