I think the description feels klunky and kludgy because it leaves out a key aspect of what physics sees in emergent properties[1]; these are properties arising

I think the description feels klunky and kludgy because it leaves out a key aspect of what physics sees in emergent properties[1]; these are properties arising out of the interaction of an ensemble of elements. And looking at your link, it seems most "emergentists" also were specifically considering ensembles. But article just says: "Emergence occurs when there is a conceptual discontinuity between two descriptions targeting the same phenomenon.", which seems too broad and so unilluminating. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence