Single Idea 3432

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 7. Emergent Properties]

Full Idea

Emergent properties are said to be irreducible to, and unpredictable from, the lower-level phenomena from which they emerge (as weight is a 'resultant' property, but the transparency of water is an 'emergent' property).

Gist of Idea

Is weight a 'resultant' property of water, but transparency an 'emergent' property?

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.228)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.228


A Reaction

So weight is predictable, but transparency is a surprise? But presumably the transparency of water is totally predictable, once you understand it. Emergent properties are either dualist or reducible, in my view.