Set of phenomena emerging from pre-existing phenomena
Anintegrative level , orlevel of organization , is a set of phenomenaemerging 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 certainfield 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 includelife emerging from non-living substances, andconsciousness emerging fromnervous systems .
The main levels usually acknowledged are those ofmatter ,life ,mind , andsociety . These are calledstrata in philosopherNicolai Hartmann 'sontology . Levels can be further analyzed into more specificlayers , 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 increasingcomplexity , 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.
Ideas connected to integrative levels can be found in the works of bothmaterialist philosophers andanti-materialist ones. Some philosophers and scientists have argued against certain ideas about levels of organization (see§ Arguments against levels of organization ).
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