The term "emergent" was coined by philosopher G. H. Lewes, who wrote: Every resultant is either a sum or a difference of the co-operant forces; their sum, when their directions are the same – their difference, when their directions are contrary.
Termen "emergent" myntades av den inom psykologin pionjären G. H. Lewes, han skrev: "Varje resultant är antingen summan eller differensen mellan de samverkande krafterna; deras summa, när deras riktning är samma -- deras differens, när deras riktningar är motsatta.