A survey of the history of and recent developments in the scientific study of complex systems and emergent order. There will be particular emphasis on the biological and cognitive sciences. Topics covered may include: mechanism and teleology in the history of science, 19th and 20th century emergentism, complex systems dynamics, order and adaptiveness, self-organization in biology and cognitive development.
4.0 credits, including a 0.5 credit in HPS/ PHL
1.0 HPS/ PHL credit. PHL232H1 or any course in the philosophy of science or in the history and philosophy of biology would be especially useful.
