An emergent property is that which is more than the sum of its parts, but rather more of a product of intricate functional interactions of many simpler properties or parts. A good example is a computer: many simple parts (transistors), serve simple functions (binary logic gates) which, when combined in an organized manner, give emergence to a functionality that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Consciousness can be thought of in the same way. Our brains utilize binary coding of information similar to that of computers. Instead of transistors that produce 1's and 0's , we have neurons that either fire or do not fire. The rate at which a neuron fires corresponds to the strength of the signal it is carrying. Our neurons are intricately interlaced, connecting and communicating with one another via dendritic synapses (akin to a computer's logic gates).
Our brains have about 100 billion neurons. This sounds like enough to give rise to some pretty astounding processes already, but the real processing power of our brains comes from the fact that each of these neurons are directly connected to an average of 7,000 other neurons via dendritic synapses. Meaning that if any one random neuron fired a signal to another neuron it's connected to, there are 7.0 × 1014 (that's 700 trillion) possible ways this ONE signal could happen. Now consider that each synapse fires at an average of 200 times per second, and that each synapse can perform processes independent of others. That makes for an average of 1.4 × 1017 (14 quadrillion) processes per second.
It's not just about brute processing power though. It's also about the organization and connection of the simple parts and their functions that gives rise to higher products, or higher forms of emergent properties such as consciousness. These functional connections are what make consciousness an emergent property, and gives us our subjective, phenomenological experience of life.
"Chandelier cells," which are the most intricately intertwined neurons found in the human brain, are found in the neocortex, an area of the brain involved in higher functioning and higher forms of consciousness. These more intricately connected cells are able to perform more meaningful processes due to their organization and give rise to more complex forms of emergent consciousness. Because of their high levels of innervation, chandelier cells are able to combine and incorporate more individual information processes together in a way that allows them to interact and give rise to a product of processes and not just a summation of processes.
Sebastian Seung is working on a project to map the connections of the brain's synapses in an attempt to reveal the working brain as it gives rise to consciousness. He calls it the "connectome." I think he's on to something.
"I've been visualizing the conceptualization process, that's the hard part."
~Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson
