AGONEMMETRY
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 68 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Methodology or model |
- “Adaptability through rivalry” (H.G. BURGER, 1967, p.209-22)
According to BURGER: “… all types of evolution are different in structure but similar in process. They consist of a rivalrous polymorphism that awaits environmental change. Up through the ethological level the change is exogenous, such as climatic. At the ethnic and intercultural levels, an additional type of change becomes available through perception” (p.209).
Polymorphism is equivalent to variety. As to rivalry, it should not necessarily bring about the elimination of the (presently) ill-fitted. They can remain in a minority position as a variety store until circumstances change.
BURGER applied his concept from biology to sociology and even linguistics (polysemy). It never became widely recognized, possibly because of its “struggle for life” undertones, arguably more appearent than real.