Divides Quote by Herbert Spencer
“We have repeatedly observed that while any whole is evolving, there is always going on an evolution of the parts into which it divides itself; but we have not observed that this equally holds of the totality of things, which is made up of parts within parts from the greatest down to the smallest.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Principles of Sociology, 1851
Complex systems evolve at multiple scales; parts change while the whole may not follow the same pattern.
In simple terms: Parts change, whole may stay same.
Key Takeaway
Consider both part and whole dynamics.
Themes
complexity
evolution
systems
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- biology
- economics
- organizational change
- software architecture
Key Concepts
Systems theory
holism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do part-level changes affect the whole?
- When might the whole also evolve?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all wholes are static, which may not hold.
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
