Concept in Definition ABC

One of the issues that the first ancient philosophers dealt with was the question of change, also called the problem of change. Thus, they posed a general question: in what way are things altered? The answers to this question have been decisive in the history of the philosophy and in the different scientific theories.

Gradualism versus catastrophism in the vision of nature

We observe that all living beings and nature in general are in a process of permanent transformation. In this sense, in the set of natural Sciences There are two main currents on this question: gradualism and catastrophism.

As the same term indicates, gradualism refers to a slow and continuous process of transformation. The evolutionary theories of Lamarck and Darwin are clear examples of this theoretical vision.

In the context of Darwinism if an individual of a species has a beneficial mutation for its survival, this mutation will be inherited by their offspring (this process is the fundamental idea of ​​the so-called natural selection). This type of evolutionary change is not abrupt or sudden but takes place in a slow process of transformation, that is, gradually.

The opposite theory or view is catastrophism

According to it, the processes of nature occur because a sudden episode triggers a process of accelerated change.

Catastrophism is defended by some geologists to explain the layers of the Earth and its abrupt transformations from changes in the weather.

Historical processes can be explained from gradualism or catastrophism

To the margin of nature, history is also in a process of permanent change. This implies that historians also wonder about the mechanisms of change in the course of history.

Those who hold the thesis gradualism affirm that the evolution It is produced from permanent reforms that take place over time. Legislative changes, social trends, cultural fashions and technological advances are articulating a gradual process of historical evolution.

The thesis of gradualism in history is not shared by all historians. Some consider that the changes are taking place in a revolutionary way. The revolution Copernican would be an illustrative example that shows how humanity made a qualitative leap with the new astronomical theories of Copernicus and Galileo.

Obviously, political and social revolutions are also illustrative of the paradigm catastrophist in history.

Photo: Fotolia - Feodora