emergent evolution

Emergent evolution refers to the way complex traits, behaviors, or patterns develop from simpler beginnings through natural processes. Instead of changes happening randomly, small, incremental changes in organisms or systems accumulate over time, leading to new features or capabilities that weren’t present before. These new traits emerge because of interactions within the system, resulting in increased complexity or new functions. Essentially, emergence is about how higher-level properties or behaviors arise from the interactions of simpler parts, shaping the continuous evolution of life and natural systems in ways that are more than just the sum of their parts.