Holon (philosophy)
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A holon (from the Greek holos = whole and on = entity) is something that is simultaneously a whole and a part. The term was coined by Arthur Koestler on p. 48 of his book The Ghost in the Machine (1967).
A holon refers to a system (or phenomenon) that is a whole in itself, as well as a part of a larger system. It can be seen as systems nested within each other. Every system can be considered a holon, from a subatomic particle to the universe as a whole.
Since a holon is embedded in larger wholes, it is influenced by and influences these larger wholes. And since a holon also contains subsystems (parts), it is similarly influenced by and influences these parts. Information flows bidirectionally between smaller and larger systems.
This hierarchy of holons is called a holarchy.
See also
External link
- A brief history of the concept of holons (http://207.44.196.94/~wilber/edwards13x.html)
- An even briefer history of the term holon (http://www.mech.kuleuven.ac.be/pma/project/goa/hms-int/history.html)de:Holon