Holon (philosophy)

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 nestled 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

• David Bohm
• heterarchy
• holomovement
• protocol stack
• quantum physics

External link

• A brief history of the concept of holons
• An even briefer history of the term holon