Is this a good definition of Emergent Properties?

Not quite what I had in mind, but I think part of it is right The term 'emergent properties' describes specific qualities that emerge at a certain level of systemic complexity and are not apparent at lower levels.

As simple as possible....

Emergent property is like this:

Cell Tissue Organ Organ System Animal

It's the property where living things become more and more complex as it goes from cellular level (exp humans are made of cells) to organ system (exp humans are made of organ system composed of millions of cells).

It's based on the concept that "the whole is greater than the composition of its parts." Exp: heart is made of cells only, but if you just have heart cells (sum of its parts) it won't do anything but if the whole heart is there, it will perform the function of pumping blood (the whole is greater).

so what part of it isn't right?

Post Merge: 11 years ago

isn't that what i wrote?? :/

Something appears whole once all parts have been gathered together, otherwise you won't be able to tell what the end product is if these things were individually shown.