Complexity, Emergence, Causation and Open Systems – Research Axis

Head: Esteban Céspedes

Complex systems are usually characterized in terms of the large number of parts that compose them and of the large number of types of interactions that bind them, which result in the emergence of new patterns and structures that are irreducible to the simple behavior of their parts. Some key philosophical questions for the study of complex systems are the following: How should emergent structures be defined, maintaining the relevance of micro-level structures? Which complexity measures are adequate for a conceptual analysis of different types of systems? What are the relations between simplicity and complexity? These and other similar questions confront particular issues which vary across different scientific and philosophical fields of research where complexity turns out to be crucial, such as biology, computer science, philosophy of mind and economics, among others.

Past talks organized through the CEFILOE

2023, 16/7. Aldo Filomeno. “Influencia de la Termodinámica en los debates filosóficos sobre Leyes de la Naturaleza”. Lugar: Instituto Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso.

2023, 3/1. Ronald Durán. “La idea de la naturaleza en la complejidad”. Lugar: Instituto Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso.

2021 David Bordonaba, Esteban Céspedes. “Diferentes nociones de contexto: algunos casos desde la biología». Seminario de Filosofía de las Ciencias. Lugar: en línea.