Explaining the Emergence of Social Order as Energy Processing: An Agent-Based Model

• In Event: 209 - Theory Section Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 06. Cognitive Sociology

Abstract

This paper presents a theory that attempts to explain the emergence of social order and complexity, and an attempt to formalize that through an agent-based model. The theory identifies principles of organization and change that exist in physical, psychological, and sociological phenomena as energy is “created,” or processed, thereby producing useable energy, “negentropy,” and entropy reducing systems. As such, this “Energy Processing Theory” explains the phenomenon of self-organization and the emergence of complexity. In contrast to other theories of complexity, this theory is able to account for the emergence of subjective order and cultural meaning, as it equates meaningfulness with energy. The theory is based on an information processing approach to aesthetic perception and culture, where it is argued that aesthetic satisfaction motivates us to put things into orders, and that we do this through the production of culture according to basic dimensions of meaningfulness. This paper uses those dimensions of meaningfulness to develop principles of entropy reduction. The agent-based model presented shows order emerging and decaying. Possibilities are discussed for producing continuing cycles of reorganization. The theory is compared and contrasted with established theories on organization and change, including dialectics and evolution.

Authors

• Loren R. Demerath, Centenary College-Louisiana

• Mark Goadrich, Centenary College-Louisiana