Strong Emergence Arising from Weak Emergence

Predictions of emergent phenomena, appearing on the macroscopic layer a complex system, can fail if they are made by microscopic model. This study demonstrates and analyses this claim well-known Conway’s Game Life. Straightforward mean-field models easily capable predicting such properties after have been fitted to simulation data in an after-the-fact way. Thus, these predictions macro-to-macro only. However, micro-to-macro model significantly fails predict correctly, as does obvious mesoscopic modeling approach. suggests that some system dynamic should be interpreted examples phenomena (properties) arising from “strong emergence,” due lack ability build consistent model, could explain before-the-fact The root cause for inability way is identified pattern formation process, phenomenon usually classified being “weak emergence.” Ultimately, it may principle impossible discriminate between distinct categories “weak” “strong” emergence, both types part very same feedback loop mainly governs system’s dynamics.