Ah. Not semantics, that is cybernetics and systems theory. As in your example: If a bunch of x in a jar leads to the jar tipping over, it is not emergent. That

Ah. Not semantics, that is cybernetics and systems theory. As in your example: If a bunch of x in a jar leads to the jar tipping over, it is not emergent. That’s just cause and effect. Problem to start with is that the jar containing x is not even a system in the first place, emergence as a concept is not applicable here. There may be a misunderstanding on your side of the term emergence. Emergence does not equal non-understanding or some spooky-hooky force coming from the unknown. We understand the functions of the elements of a car quite well. The emergent behaviour of a car was intentionally brought about by massive engineering. Reductionism does not lead to an explaining-away of emergence.