HIERARCHY (Emergent)
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1546 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Human sciences, Methodology or model |
The emergence of a system of a superior level of complexity goes with a deep reshaping of the internal as well as reciprocal organization of the newly associating components. The following aspects are specially noteworthy:
1) the components lose a part of their autonomy when they enter in reciprocally conditioning interrelations;
2) their control over their own elements is somewhat reduced, specially when these elements start to participate as such in macro-interactions;
3) the new emerging interrelations require a coordination at their own level, which implies the shaping of a superior hierarchical level;
4) the functions of the components do not become the functions of the emergent system, which may need, demand or provoke their weakening or even their elimination;
5) certain constitutive elements of the components may escape from their control and integrate themselves directly to the emergent functions of the new system;
This type of situations is more common than generally believed.
The moulting processes that lead to the adult insect seem to be true to this model. It is also probably the case of embryonary reorganizations during the pregnancy and quite certainly of the present emergence of the supra-national systems.