Misha

'I feel that the idea of #emergence, and much of #ComplexityTheory in general, is just a form of "science-plaining", where science invents its own jargon to "explain" to the #humanities (and people at large) what they have known for centuries, while maintaining the untenable position that it "objectively describes the world".'

#scienceplaining #science #philosophy

https://mishathings.org/posts/emergence/

Science-plaining reality to the humanities: the case against emergence

Yesterday, in an after-class discussion with a student, I found myself questioning the value of the concept of emergence, and the way it is embraced not just by complexity theorists but by the sciences at large. Today I found some time to think through the argument a bit more and then boom, this blog post EMERGED. In short, I feel that the idea of emergence, and much of complexity theory in general, is just a form of “science-plaining”, where science invents its own jargon to “explain” to the humanities (and people at large) what they have known for centuries, while maintaining the untenable position that it “objectively describes the world”.

Apr 3 at 12:44pmWeb
Show threadmjApr 3
One alternative, which is already the norm, is that science could preach the overly-simplistic, linear toy models of reality that suggests we've got everything under control, "nothing to see here, move along." You have to realize where we're coming from historically & how that must change now.
Show threadMishaApr 3

@malthusjohn.bsky.social

Yes good point. That was what I was trying to say at the end.

Also, I recognize that there is a lot of important work being done on complexity and earth/climate science.

At the same time I can imagine that it must be quite frustrating for humanities scholars - always facing cuts - to see this field get so much attention and money.