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Emergence and Its Place in Nature: A Case Study of Biochemical Networks

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Abstract

We will show that there is a strong form of emergence in cell biology. Beginning with C.D. Broad’s classic discussion of emergence, we distinguish two conditions sufficient for emergence. Emergence in biology must be compatible with the thought that all explanations of systemic properties are mechanistic explanations and with their sufficiency. Explanations of systemic properties are always in terms of the properties of the parts within the system. Nonetheless, systemic properties can still be emergent. If the properties of the components within the system cannot be predicted, even in principle, from the behavior of the system’s parts within simpler wholes then there also will be systemic properties which cannot be predicted, even in principle, on basis of the behavior of these parts. We show in an explicit case study drawn from molecular cell physiology that biochemical networks display this kind of emergence, even though they deploy only mechanistic explanations. This illustrates emergence and its place in nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Cell Physiology Biocentrum Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    F. C. Boogerd, F. J. Bruggeman & H. V. Westerhoff

  2. Department of Philosophy, University of Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0374, Cincinnati,, U.S.A.

    R. C. Richardson

  3. Institute of Cognitive Science, Department of Philosophy, D-49069, Osnabrück, Germany

    A. Stephan

Authors
  1. F. C. Boogerd
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  2. F. J. Bruggeman
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  3. R. C. Richardson
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  4. A. Stephan
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  5. H. V. Westerhoff
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Correspondence to F. C. Boogerd.

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Boogerd, F.C., Bruggeman, F.J., Richardson, R.C. et al. Emergence and Its Place in Nature: A Case Study of Biochemical Networks. Synthese 145, 131–164 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-004-4421-9

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