Emergence: Key physical issues for deeper philosophical inquiries

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of emergence in physics, focusing on its philosophical implications, physical mechanisms, and the importance of coarse-graining and persistent structures in understanding emergent phenomena.

Contribution

It provides a nuanced analysis of emergence, clarifies its physical and philosophical aspects, and highlights key issues like coarse-graining that require further philosophical and scientific investigation.

Findings

Identifies three senses of emergence in physics

Highlights the importance of coarse-graining and persistent structures

Suggests directions for future philosophical and physical research on emergence

Abstract

A sketch of three senses of emergence and a suggestive view on the emergence of time and the direction of time is presented. After trying to identify which issues philosophers interested in emergent phenomena in physics view as important I make several observations pertaining to the concepts, methodology and mechanisms required to understand emergence and describe a platform for its investigation. I then identify some key physical issues which I feel need be better appreciated by the philosophers in this pursuit. I end with some comments on one of these issues, that of coarse-graining and persistent structures.