A holon, as defined by Arthur Koestler, is something that is both a whole in itself and a part of a larger whole. Holons have two core tendencies: self-assertion (acting as an independent whole) and integration (functioning as a part within a bigger system). Holons exist in nested layers, or "[[Holarchy|holarchies]],” where each level influences and shapes the others, allowing parts and wholes to transform each other through dynamic resonance.