Publisher's Synopsis
This book explores whether physics points to a reductive or an emergent structure of the world. It proposes a physics-motivated conception of emergence that leaves behind many of the problematic intuitions shaping the philosophical conceptions. The book provides a background on the history of the debate before moving on to cover the arguments and counter-arguments for and against emergence. Contextual emergence and various case studies are discussed, as are the broader implications emergence has for physics in general.
This new edition also adds a chapter introducing the renormalization group, with a discussion of their relationship to the contextual emergence pattern such as interactions on all distance scales. Other chapters are expanded to cover updates in the field, as well as examinations of Peter Atkins and John A. Wheelers views on reductionism and emergence laws of physics.
Key Features:
- Explains need for an ontological form of emergence as an alternative to reductionism and strong emergence.
- Situates physics debates about reduction and emergence historically.
- Explains and illustrates the contextual emergence pattern in physics and other sciences.
- Discusses broader implications of the pattern of emergence in physics.
