There is an algebraic analogy that might be useful (or confusing, if you don’t know the math involved). In a tensor space, there are elements called pure tensors that can be described by a simple term (rank 1 tensors), while others cannot be described by a such item. In a similar fashion, entangled systems in quantum mechanics cannot be described considering the simple sub-costituents in isolation. Another, perhaps simpler, analogy is a probability distribution of two dependent variables. Whenever I read “more than the sum of its parts”, I do not imagine the literal sum, but rather that some variables or observables in the system are tensorial in nature.
...I will look up tensors:) I have already tried to understand the piece before, but could not.
Actually, I would appreciate it if you could write a post and expand your analogy to other matters within your interests; it would be great if people grew used to sharing their heuristics without thinking them biases from the outset.
There is an algebraic analogy that might be useful (or confusing, if you don’t know the math involved). In a tensor space, there are elements called pure tensors that can be described by a simple term (rank 1 tensors), while others cannot be described by a such item. In a similar fashion, entangled systems in quantum mechanics cannot be described considering the simple sub-costituents in isolation.
Another, perhaps simpler, analogy is a probability distribution of two dependent variables.
Whenever I read “more than the sum of its parts”, I do not imagine the literal sum, but rather that some variables or observables in the system are tensorial in nature.
...I will look up tensors:) I have already tried to understand the piece before, but could not.
Actually, I would appreciate it if you could write a post and expand your analogy to other matters within your interests; it would be great if people grew used to sharing their heuristics without thinking them biases from the outset.