Self-Organization--Introduction

Researchers have often tempted to think that the complexity of such structures produced collectively result from a behavioral and cognitive complexity at the individual level. However, with the adoption of self-organization theory from physics and chemistry, a new image emerges; the global pattern can spontaneously emerge from interactions of individuals relatively simple. And during these late years, this theory has expanded over a variety of fields of science. It is applied in Computer Science, in Mathematics, in Physics, in Chemistry, in Biology and even in Psychology.

Self-organization, or at least use if the term "Self-organizing System" dates back to at least 1947.
However, the general concept stems much further back in history; at least since Aristotle's Metaphysics. It is perhaps surprising then that rigorous study of self-organization has its roots in physics and chemistry (but often inspired by biological systems).

Examples of self-organized collective behaviours.(a) Aggregation of roaches (Blattela germanica) in the same place; (b) A spiderweb spun by a colony of Anelosimus, social spiders.