Toward a Big History 2.0: A brief position paper

Abstract

We propose a “Big History 2.0” framework based on a time-by-complexity relationship that the two authors converge on, a synthesis from their prior independent work. In particular, the framework distinguishes a line of levels of combogenesis from quarks to culture, in contrast to patterns of emergence involving larger aggregates or groups. The framework identifies major transitions to novelty marked by innovations in general evolutionary dynamics (PVSR; propagation, variation, and selective retention), which have occurred multiple times following the Big Bang. As in Henriques’ Tree of Knowledge System, we take the Mind-Animal plane of dynamics as one of these major transitions because of the innovative PVSR-dynamics in the mindedness of animals. We note the need to simultaneously attend to patterns and processes of formation, and we describe avenues of further consideration that follow from this framework. This position paper has been improved and slightly expanded from the version originally presented to the Big History Research Group for general discussion on November 20, 2022.