HOMEORHESIS
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1573 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Methodology or model |
The condition of a flow process which remains canalised within limits in a growing system.
This neologism was created by C. WADDINGTON who explains: “Whereas the process of keeping something at a stable, or stationary value is called homeostasis, ensuring the continuation of a given type of change it is called homeorhesis” (1976, p.140).
In E. JANTSCH terms: “Homeorhesis … (characterizes) the preservation, not of a stationary state (as in homeostasis), but of a flow process. Disturbances are counteracted so as to bring back the process not to where it was when disturbed, but to where it would have progressed if left undisturbed. Many biological and social growth processes are homeorhetic” (1975, p.92).
Growth of a system is normally homeorhetic, because it is the only way to maintain its identity. The system turns homeostatic (i.e. acquires dynamic stability) when it reaches its full development, in accordance with its archetype.