Metaphysical Emergence

According to both special sciences and common experience, there are metaphysically emergent entities and features, such as macroscopic goings-on that depend on lower-level physical configurations. Metaphysical emergence is the process by which these entities and features arise from lower-level physical processes. There are two forms of emergence: weak emergence, where a dependent feature has a proper subset of the powers of the feature upon which it depends, and strong emergence, where a dependent feature has a power not had by the feature upon which it depends. Wilson argues that weak emergence unifies and illuminates diverse accounts of non-reductive physicalism, while strong emergence does the same for diverse anti-physicalist views positing fundamental novelty at higher levels of compositional complexity. She considers whether complex systems, ordinary objects, consciousness, and free will are metaphysically emergent and argues that weak emergence is common and that there is strong emergence in the case of free will.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The study of metaphysics suggests that there exist metaphysically emergent entities and features, which are macroscopic phenomena such as mountains, trees, humans, and sculptures, along with their distinctive properties. These appearances raise two fundamental questions: what exactly is metaphysical emergence, and is it possible in principle and in fact? Metaphysical Emergence offers comprehensive and well-structured answers to these inquiries.

According to Wilson, there are two distinct forms of metaphysical emergence that are relevant to the target cases: Weak emergence and Strong emergence. Weak emergence involves a dependent feature possessing a proper subset of the powers of the feature upon which it depends. On the other hand, Strong emergence pertains to a dependent feature possessing a power not possessed by the feature upon which it depends.

Weak emergence serves as a unifying framework that brings together various accounts of non-reductive physicalism. It sheds light on how seemingly diverse perspectives can be reconciled within a unified framework. Strong emergence accomplishes a similar task regarding seemingly diverse anti-physicalist views that posit fundamental novelty at higher levels of compositional complexity.

Wilson defends the in-principle viability of both forms of emergence, emphasizing their potential to explain the observed phenomena. She argues that Weak emergence is quite common and occurs in various contexts. In the case of free will, for instance, she suggests that Strong emergence is indeed present.

In conclusion, Metaphysical Emergence provides a valuable framework for understanding the nature of metaphysically emergent entities and features. By exploring Weak and Strong emergence, Wilson offers insights into the unification and illumination of diverse perspectives in metaphysics. Her arguments and considerations contribute to our understanding of the metaphysical landscape and shed light on the possibility of metaphysical emergence in principle and in fact.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 234 x 157 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198883470