The Emergence Machine

Complexity

abstract · Systems · Level 4 · E7

E7Ecosystems

Each concept here is mapped to its prerequisites — the ideas you'd need first to understand it — all the way down to four foundations: Space, Time, Energy, Pattern. Click any prerequisite to drill down, or scroll for the chain graph.

Trace. Question. Emerge.

Emergence definition

Complexity arises from the intricate patterns of interaction within a system, where multiple, non-repeating patterns and disorder emerge from the organization and interrelation of its parts, leading to a state of inherent multilayered interconnectedness and variability.

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Wiktionary senses

External reference — all senses of the word “complexity” on Wiktionary. This atlas concept maps to only the slice of meaning relevant to the prerequisite graph.

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Source: Wiktionary — “complexity”. Content available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Historical origin

Origin word
complexity
Origin language
English

Prerequisite chain

Possible path of this concept down to the fundamental substrate.

thisfoundationsL4L3L2L1L0ComplexitySystemFormStructureChangeMatterEnergyPatternSpaceTimeE1 concrete → E14 abstract

Neighborhood

Direct prerequisites above, concepts that depend on this one below.

used byprerequisitesSpace ComplexityL7Time ComplexityL7ComplexityL4PatternL0SystemL3E1 concrete → E14 abstract

In other languages

Prerequisites

What you need to understand first.

  • Pattern L0 (requires)
    Complexity involves intricate patterns of interaction
  • System L3 (requires) Systems sense
    Complexity arises from many interacting parts in a system

Used by