Synthesis and emergence — research overview

The paper gives a concise overview of the present state of work in the project ‘Methodology of Emergent Synthesis’. Starting with the conceptual questions concerning analysis, synthesis and emergence in the realm of artifacts, a critical overview is given of reductionism and of the problems with self-referential character of the artifactual environment. The concepts of syntax and semantics are used to distinguish between different kinds of emergence. The pieces of ongoing research work in the project are exposed using a three-fold classification with respect to the completeness of our knowledge of the environment and the specification of the purpose of the artifact. The capabilities of the related techniques are also discussed.