ABSTRACT
In this chapter we discuss the development of the ideas of emergence and creative synthesis in the philosophy and social theory of the early twentieth century. The idea of emergent properties appeared in psychology and philosophy, in dealing with the mind-body problem. It also came into view in sociology, when addressing the relationship between the individual and society. It was detectable at least in outline in the works of several early sociologists, even before the philosophy of emergence was fully articulated. The tragic outcome was the failure of Veblenism to connect with these developments, even at a time when Veblen was still alive.
