Formalising Agency-Inducing Patterns in World Dynamics

In this paper, the question is addressed which patterns in world dynamics should occur to enable a conceptualisation of a world’s process as an agent. Six criteria on patterns in world dynamics are discussed that indicate when the world shows agency, and allows a faithful agent-based conceptualisation. The criteria, that naturally cover aspects such as embodiment and embeddedness, are formalised and their use is illustrated in a case study.

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