People in a variety of disciplines and walks of life are in the business of trying to make sense of the world. In so doing, all make use of conceptual frameworks, habitual ways of thinking that influence both how one tries to make sense of new observations and the new questions one asks (and doesn't ask). These conceptual frameworks are themselves reflections of the kinds of observations that have and can be made.
Computers, like telescopes and microscopes, have opened a whole new world of possible observations. Because of the rapidity with which they can do well-defined calculations, computers have made it possible to explore the consequences of relatively simple interactions of relatively simple things in ways never before possible.
From this new capability are emerging in different arenas significant insights into phenomena long believed too complex for serious analysis ... and perhaps a new quite general conceptual framework applicable in a variety of disciplines and practical contexts. People who are interested the emergence of "emergent systems" as a way of thinking are invited to join this discussion.
You can participate in our discussion in a number of ways:- Email discussion:
- [no longer available]
- Emergence Group Forum
- Wednesday Morning Breakfast
- Listen to our weekly Podcast
We invite you to come to the Wednesday morning discussion. The schedule for this semester is:
Schedule and Discussion Links | ||
| Date/Place | Presenter | Resources |
| Wednesday Oct. 3, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Astra Bryant | Emergent Properties of the Leech Presentation (PDF) Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Oct. 10, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Astra Bryant |
Emergent Properties of the Leech Presentation (PDF) Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 | Fall Break: no meeting | |
| Wednesday Oct. 24, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Astra Bryant |
Emergent Properties of the Leech Presentation (PDF) Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Oct. 31, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Open Discussion |
Presentation (PDF) Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Karen Greif |
Determining the Minimal Genome for Life Background reading: Toward the Engineering of Minimal Living Cells Presentation Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Nov. 14, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Doug Blank |
The Physics of Downward Causation, a paper by Paul Davies Background reading: The Physics of Downward Causation Presentation Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Nov. 21, 2007 | Thanksgiving: no meeting | |
| Wednesday Nov. 28, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Brooks Ambrose |
General Systems Theory, a paper by Kenneth Boulding Background reading: General systems theory: The skeleton of science Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Brooks Ambrose |
General Systems Theory, a paper by Kenneth Boulding Background reading: General systems theory: The skeleton of science Participants Discussion Podcast |
| Wednesday Dec. 12, 2007, 8-9am, Park Science 230 | Paul Grobstein |
Empirical Non-Foundationalism Background reading: From Complexity to Emergence and Beyond: Towards Empirical Non-Foundationalism as a Guide for Inquiry (also available as PDF) Presentation Participants Discussion Podcast not available this week (pressed wrong button---doh!) |