GDL

Synergy-here defined broadly as the combined (interdependent) effects produced by two or more parts, elements or individuals-is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature and human societies alike. Although it plays a prominent part in most, if not all, of the scientific disciplines, its importance is not widely appreciated because it travels under many different aliases, including emergence, cooperativity, symbiosis, coevolution, symmetry, order, epistasis, mutualism, interdependencies, heterosis, phase transitions, systemic effects, even complexity and “dynamical attractors.” (A number of examples are provided to illustrate.) At the very least, the term “synergy” could be utilized as a pan-disci- plinary lingua franca for the functional effects produced by cooperative phenomena of various kinds; a terminological shift would underscore the fact that the differently named phenomena studied by various disciplines are in fact vari- ations on a common theme in the natural world. But more important, synergistic effects of various kinds have also played a major causal role in the evolutionary process; in particular, synergistic effects have provided the underlying functional basis for the evolution of complex systems, in nature and human societies alike. The so-called “synergism hypothesis” is here briefly described, and the accumulating evidence in support of this theory is summarized. Some methods for testing the theory are also discussed.

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