---
title: "Emergence"
source: "https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Emergence"
wiki: "systems-analysis.info/eng"
article: "Emergence"
language: "en"
categories:
  - "Category:Basic concepts"
  - "Category:English"
  - "Category:Science"
  - "Category:Systems analysis"
  - "Category:Systems approach"
  - "Category:Systems theory"
revision_id: 135
wiki_created_at: 2026-09-06T22:17:51Z
wiki_modified_at: 2026-09-06T22:17:51Z
downloaded_at: 2026-09-07T22:21:15Z
---

# Emergence

**Emergence** (from the English *emergence*—to arise, to appear) is a property of a system whereby new, qualitatively distinct characteristics arise that are not inherent in its individual components but manifest as a result of their interaction and unification into a holistic system.

## The Core Concept

Emergent properties:

- cannot be deduced from the properties of the elements;
- are inherent only to the system as a whole;
- disappear when the system as a whole is destroyed.

For example, an airplane's ability to fly is not a property of any of its individual components but arises as a result of their purposeful interaction within an integrated design.

## Structure as the Carrier of Emergence

The source of emergent properties is the **system's structure**—the way its components are organized and interact. Even with the same set of components, a change in structure can lead to the appearance or disappearance of emergent characteristics.

## Emergence and Wholeness

Emergence is closely related to the concept of wholeness:

- a system exhibits an emergent property only as long as it remains whole;
- the disappearance of an emergent property indicates the destruction of its wholeness;

## Examples of Emergence

- Mechanical example: Two rocks, when interacting, can create sparks—a property that cannot be observed in each rock individually.
- Chemical example: The combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the proportion H₂O gives rise to water, with qualitatively new properties.
- Biological example: Only the union of male and female individuals provides the ability to reproduce.
- Logical-mathematical example: Combining two elementary computational units into a ring circuit creates a system with new functional behavior, unattainable by each unit separately.

## Emergence and Dialectics

In systems analysis, emergence is interpreted as a form of the dialectical transition from quantity to quality: a new quality arises not only through accumulation but also through the proper organization and connection of even a minimal number of elements.

## Natural and Artificial Systems

- In artificial systems, emergence is the result of engineering design;
- In natural systems, it is a defining principle of selection that shapes the composition and behavior of components.

## Practical Significance

Understanding and modeling emergence is important:

- in organizational management (local optimization ≠ systemic efficiency);
- in engineering (design of architectures and interactions);
- in biology, economics, and ecology (systemic behavior is not reducible to micro-behavioral levels).

## External links

- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Emergence — Wikipedia</a>
- <a href="https://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Emergence_%28biology%29" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Emergence (biology) — Citizendium</a>
- <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/properties-emergent/" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Emergent Properties — Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</a>

## See also

- [System](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System "System")
- [System structure](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_structure "System structure")
- [Systems analysis](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_analysis "Systems analysis")

## Literature

- Peregudov F.I., Tarasenko F.P. *Introduction to Systems Analysis*. — Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola, 1989.
- Volkova V.N., Denisov A.A. *Systems Theory and Systems Analysis: A Textbook for Universities*. — Moscow: Yurayt Publishing House, 2025 (or *Systems Theory*. Moscow: Vysshaya Shkola, 2006).
- Sadovsky V.N. *Foundations of General Systems Theory*. — Moscow: Nauka, 1974.
- Blauberg I.V., Sadovsky V.N., Yudin E.G. Systems Research and General Systems Theory // *Systems Research. 1969 Yearbook*. — Moscow: Nauka, 1969.
- Bertalanffy L. von. General System Theory — A Critical Review // *Systems Research. 1969 Yearbook*. — Moscow: Nauka, 1969.