In a recent discussion, Professor George Ellis challenges the reductionist view that only fundamental particles matter. He argues that causation operates at every emergent level — from protons to society.
"Causation Happens at Every Emergent Level"
Using examples from systems biology, developmental emergence, and evolution, Ellis explains how complex systems function through multi-level interactions. Each level, from cells to ecosystems, exerts causal influence that cannot be reduced to simple particle physics.
This perspective shifts our understanding of science, emphasizing that to fully grasp phenomena like life and consciousness, we must study not only the smallest parts but also the emergent wholes they form.
Full podcast with Prof. George Ellis available on YouTube.