Set of phenomena emerging from pre-existing phenomena
An integrative level, or level of organization, is a set of phenomena
emerging from pre-existing phenomena of a lower level. The levels concept is an intellectual framework for structuring reality. It arranges all entities, structures, and processes in the universe, or in a certain
field of study, into a hierarchy, typically based on how complex their organization is. When arranged this way, each entity is three things at the same time: It is made up of parts from the previous level below. It is a whole in its own right. And it is a part of the whole that is on the next level above. Typical examples include
life emerging from non-living substances, and
consciousness emerging from
nervous systems.
Levels
The main levels usually acknowledged are those of
matter,
life,
mind, and
society. These are called strata in philosopher
Nicolai Hartmann's
ontology. They can be further analyzed into more specific layers, such as those of particles, atoms, molecules, and rocks forming the material stratum, or those of cells, organisms, populations, and ecosystems forming the life stratum.
The sequence of levels is often described as one of increasing
complexity, although it is not clear whether this is always true: for example,
parasitism emerges on pre-existing organisms, although parasites are often simpler than their originating forms.
Set of phenomena emerging from pre-existing phenomena
An integrative level, or level of organization, is a set of phenomena
emerging from pre-existing phenomena of a lower level. The levels concept is an intellectual framework for structuring reality. It arranges all entities, structures, and processes in the universe, or in a certain
field of study, into a hierarchy, typically based on how complex their organization is. When arranged this way, each entity is three things at the same time: It is made up of parts from the previous level below. It is a whole in its own right. And it is a part of the whole that is on the next level above. Typical examples include
life emerging from non-living substances, and
consciousness emerging from
nervous systems.
Levels
The main levels usually acknowledged are those of
matter,
life,
mind, and
society. These are called strata in philosopher
Nicolai Hartmann's
ontology. They can be further analyzed into more specific layers, such as those of particles, atoms, molecules, and rocks forming the material stratum, or those of cells, organisms, populations, and ecosystems forming the life stratum.
The sequence of levels is often described as one of increasing
complexity, although it is not clear whether this is always true: for example,
parasitism emerges on pre-existing organisms, although parasites are often simpler than their originating forms.