<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Nature is never at a steady state. Natural history is generated by ever-new and ever-interacting forces that produce continuous changes. At virtually all timescales, the geological record shows that these changes do not cancel each other out and, thus, that the steady state is utopic. However, we need a state of equilibrium as a starting point for modelling Nature, and the steady-state condition is widely used as a reference in idealisations aimed at understanding natural processes. The present contribution is meant as an epistemological note of caution − from Earth scientists to Earth scientists − aimed at discouraging the use of theoretical models as true evidence instead of terms of comparison.</p>
</abstract>

Nature is never at a steady state. Natural history is generated by ever-new and ever-interacting forces that produce continuous changes. At virtually all timescales, the geological record shows that these changes do not cancel each other out and, thus, that the steady state is utopic. However, we need a state of equilibrium as a starting point for modelling Nature, and the steady-state condition is widely used as a reference in idealisations aimed at understanding natural processes. The present contribution is meant as an epistemological note of caution − from Earth scientists to Earth scientists − aimed at discouraging the use of theoretical models as true evidence instead of terms of comparison.

Against steady state

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

Geologos

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Against steady state"}

Nature is never at a steady state. Natural history is generated by ever-new and ever-interacting forces that produce continuous changes. At virtually all...

Against steady state

Pubblicato online: 13 ott 2022

Pagine: 157 - 168

Ricevuto: 26 gen 2022

Accettato: 03 giu 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2022-0012

Parole chiave
understanding nature, models in geology, uniformitarianism and catastrophism, data interpretation, physical models

© 2022 Eduardo Garzanti et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Against steady state

Pubblicato online: 13 ott 2022

Pagine: 157 - 168

Ricevuto: 26 gen 2022

Accettato: 03 giu 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/logos-2022-0012

Parole chiaveunderstanding nature, models in geology, uniformitarianism and catastrophism, data interpretation, physical models

© 2022 Eduardo Garzanti et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Parole chiave
understanding nature, models in geology, uniformitarianism and catastrophism, data interpretation, physical models