Whole, Parts, Synergy

There are probably four main explanations of the concept of a Whole that is greater than the sum of its Parts. 1) Atomist: the inequality is only apparent, involving an inadequate concept of all the relations involved, e. g. a Chemical reaction taken to be more than an association of Mechanical causalities. 2) Emergent: under certain conditions, a Multiplicity can merge into a novel Unity, e. g. Dialectical Logic.  3) Formal: components are ordered according to some pattern, rather than merely conjoined, e. g. Kant's Categories.  4) Organicist: the Parts are diversifications of a vital Whole, combining productively, e. g. species procreation.  So, insofar as Synergy connotes a Whole that is greater than the sum of its Parts, it is open to any one of these explanations.  For example, #4 applies to Synergy that is involved in a concept of a History of a Species, e. g. the principle of which is Evolution.