Emergent phenomena

Abstract
The paper presents the main philosophical and scientific concepts which are suggested in order to describe emergence. Grounded on the stratification of the universe in organizational levels, it characterizes and classifies the emergent phenomena. It proposes three couples which specify the emergence modes: unilateral vs. bilateral, synchronic vs. diachronic, mindless vs. mindful. It finally analyzes some classes of formal models able to explain through different disciplines the emergence process.