holarchic

Holarchy is a model of organization and systems theory in which entities operate as holons—units that are simultaneously wholes and parts—arranged in a nested, multi-level structure. The term was introduced by biologist Arthur Koestler in The Ghost in the Machine (1967) as a counterpoint to traditional hierarchies. The adjective holarchic is used to describe processes, structures, or systems that conform to or exhibit holarchy.

In a holarchy, holons form a hierarchy of holons: each holon contains sub-holons and belongs to a higher-level holarchy. This creates bidirectional influence: higher levels can regulate or guide, while lower levels contribute feedback and autonomy. Properties and behaviors emerge at each level, and information or energy flow through the network across levels.

Holarchy is distinguished from conventional, rigid pyramids by its emphasis on integration, self-organization, and the preservation of the wholeness of the system. Holons retain identity while participating in larger contexts, enabling scalable complexity and resilience.

Applications appear in biology (cells within tissues and organs), ecology (species within ecosystems), and organizational design (teams within departments within corporations) and information systems (modules within architectures).

Criticism notes that the concept can be imprecise or metaphorical and that practical implementations may rely on assumptions about autonomy and feedback that are not universally valid. Some use holarchic ideas in spiritual or new-age contexts, which can blur formal meaning.