Strong claims have been made for emergence as a new paradigm for understanding science, consciousness, and religion. Tracing the past history and current definitions of the concept, Clayton assesses the case for emergent phenomena in the natural world and their significance for philosophy and theology. Complex emergent phenomena require irreducible levels of explanation in physics, chemistry and biology. This pattern of emergence suggests a new approach to the problem of consciousness, which is neither reducible to brain states nor proof of a mental substance or soul. Although emergence does not entail classical theism, it is compatible with a variety of religious positions. Clayton concludes with a defence of emergentist panentheism and a Christian constructive theology consistent with the new sciences of emergence.

• 1: From Reduction to Emergence


• 2: Defining Emergence


• 3: Emergence in the Natural Sciences


• 4: Emergence and Mind


• 5: Emergence and Transcendence

Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor at CST at Willamette University, holds a PhD from Yale University and has published several dozen books and some two hundred research articles, as well as holding guest professorships at Harvard University, Cambridge University, and the University of Munich. Philip works at the intersection of science, religion, and ethics and researches societal changes that are necessary for establishing sustainable forms of civilization on this planet. Philip is the president of the Institute for Ecological Civilization (EcoCiv.org).
Kelli M. Archie is the senior science advisor at the Institute for Ecological Civilization. She has a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a native of Colorado. Her previous research addresses climate change adaptation in the United States, the Indian Himalayas, Vanuatu, and New Zealand. Kelli currently lives on the side of a ski run high in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, Tim, and their four young daughters.
Jonah Sachs is the director of One Project. He is the co-founder of Free Range Studios, one of the minds behind the Story of Stuff series, and the best-selling author of Winning the Story Wars.
Evan Steiner works to address global issues at their roots, focusing on structural issues within economics, finance, and business that are causing harm to people and the planet. His passion is building infrastructure that enables new economic paradigms based on ethics, ecological regeneration, and human flourishing. His current role is supporting partnerships and strategy for One Project, a social venture working to create new forms of governance and economics that are equitable, ecological, and effective.