Word: equilibria
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Sometimes wrong but rarely in doubt, Stephen Jay Gould was a 19th century naturalist plunked down in the 20th century. His most notable scientific achievement was the theory of "punctuated equilibria" (co-authored with Niles Eldredge), arguing that species don't evolve gradually, as the conventional wisdom suggested, but rather remain unchanged for long periods, then undergo rapid bursts of change. His papers, essays, books and lectures brought Gould's wide-ranging intellect to the attention of the public--while burying his intellectual opponents under the weight of millions of words. Along the way, the politically left-wing scientist...
...valuesmoral rules simply as semi-arbitrary ways ofending a moral deliberation. He has no deepcommitment to any principle, but merely wants aresult, and it doesn't seem to much matter whatthat result is: "We cannot expect there to be asingle stable solution...but rather a variety ofuncertain and temporary equilibria, with theconversation-stoppers tending to accrete pearlylayers of supporting dogma which cannot themselveswithstand extended scrutiny but do actually serveon occasion, blessedly, to deflect and terminateconsideration." In that list ofconversation-stoppers, utilitarian calculus andKantian imperatives are equally valid...
IMMEDIATE MAJORITY rule requires instituting a new voting policy in a hurry. But sudden movements tend to upset delicate equilibria, like the relative peace now in South Africa. In such a dangerous and unbalanced situation, literally anything could occur. Witness the notorious excesses of revolutions from France in 1789 to Iran two years...
...last August as a "caretaker" Premier, succeeding the experienced Alcide de Gasperi, and prepared to fade away after he got his budget through Parliament. But by last week, after he had been in office only 47 days, Italians inside Parliament and out were calling robust Giuseppe Pella uomo di equilibria (man of balance). Said a parliamentary deputy: "My bet is that five years from now [when national elections will be held], it will be Premier Pella who will be presenting his record to the voters for further approval...
...Most scientists think that only haphazard studies can be made of physiological functions," said Vallee. This is not true. There are precise equilibria in the system, and only profound changes, such as those made by disease affect them...