THE STRUCTURE OF THEORETICAL SYSTEMS IN RELATION TO EMERGENCE

Dissertation: London School of Economics, University of London, 1982

A thesis concerning the ontology underlying the formation of structural-dialectical systems based on the implications of the phenomena of Emergence is presented. Emergence refers to the unexpected appearance of discontinuities which segment on-going traditions. The Western philosophical tradition is used as an example focusing on motifs introduced in the Phaedo, the transition from Hume to Kant, and contemporary ontology. Emergence (as structurally coded artificial novelty) is posited to be the opposite of the phenomenon of Nihilism (erratic change projected by the structural system rendering the formal system visible), and both are functions of the ideation process. The ontological basis of the Emergence is sought by exploring the articulation of the form of the ideational process, through which structural theoretical systems are produced, called the 'ideational template'. It has three parts:

  1. SHELL -- The expanding wave of logical connections by means of triadic formalisms seen on the Nihilistic background;
  2. CORE -- The unfolding structural-dialectical underpinning of the formal system in which artificial emergences appear;
  3. CENTRE OF THE CORE -- Fragmentation of the concept of 'Being' which provides the ontological foundation for the Formal/Structural system.

The ideational template is de-structured in order to show the feasibility of an alternative metaphysical model based on disconnecting opposite qualities instead of focusing on form and structure as the ideation process does. This brings attention to the principle of 'No Secondary Causation' as a means of tracing back artificial emergence within structural systems to a genuine emergence of all entities and qualitative opposites to a single source (called by Plato 'the Good') indicated by the methodology of logical disconnection rather than syllogistic connection. The alternative to logical ideational connection is called the 'logic of disconnection'. The metaphysical basis of the qualitative science as distinct from quantitative Western science is posited.


Available from LSE library and Senate House library of University of London 

LSE LIBRARY RECORD

Author: Palmer, Kent Duane.
Title: The structure of theoretical systems in relation to emergence
Publisher: 1982.
Description: 488 leaves.
This thesis is the property of London University and may not be removed from the Library.
Subject(s): Phenomenology.
Philosophy.
Sociology.
Other Author(s): London School of Economics and Political Science. Department of Sociology
Additional Information: No additional information available
Location: Theses Collection

OCR version of Dissertation

ORIGINAL SCANNED DISSERTATION: PROOF COPY

Web version of Dissertation


M.Phil papers

Double Helix pdf (being edited)

Working Papers 1978

The Guide to the working papers for the Dissertation   PDF