Development of the Eonic Model
The Evidence of Non-Random Evolution: 
The Eonic Effect

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 Darwin's theory is really about random evolution, and the eonic effect gives us all at once a dramatic instance of a non-random pattern, which can then be seen as non-random 'evolution'.

There are two ways to approach this:

1. The Axial Age
2. Three Transitions The sudden perception of three turning points or transitions in world history. This second is obviously a superset of the first set of data.

We see a distinct rhythm or mysterious drumbeat effect in world history. Three dynamic periods with medievalizing intervals in between. The only name for this pattern is 'evolution' and its scope is awesome, comprising all the basic categories of civilization and culture.

This devastating non-random pattern shows that virtually all the major advances of civilization are clustered inside the eonic grid.

• The evolution of religion The Axial period shows the genesis of two great religions. This is something very different from typical Darwinian accounts!

The Great Explosion The Eonic Effect makes us suspicious that something like it is present at earlier stages of man' emergence

• A Photo Finish test Darwinism is going to flunk a photo finish test. We can't have a macro driver in world history, and then claim with little evidence that the descent of man is random evolution.

• The Hurricane Argument The eonic pattern raises the standard of evidence since we see clear evidence of short acting processes.

• Beyond Natural Selection We see clearly that the existence of a macro driver in world history makes the stock of natural selection plummet.

The evidence of the eonic effect is spectacular, but we need to create a simple model to help us visualize such a large pattern, and discipline our perceptions. The discovery of the Axial Age and the associated series of turning points is invaluable because it allows us to create a special type of model, based on an intermittent driver idea, and this produces two levels. On one level we see three transitions, on the other the greater totality of world history. This model will have the following concepts:

1. Differential periodization. If we use a periodization based on two dates enclosing a transition, for each of our turning points, we have a good approximation to the eonic effect. These transitions are about three centuries in length, and show

2. Relative transforms and eonic emergents The eonic effect shows relative emergentism, and we can find a incoming stream of culture suddenly transformed during a transition. This approach allows us also to create a model with no absolute beginning or ending.

3. Eonic sequence Our sequence of transitions forms an 'eonic sequence' which we call 'eonic evolution'. This terminology will also be called the 'stream and sequence' property. A stream of culture cross a boundary, and contributes to the high level sequence.

4. Parallel emergence We really have two patterns, one of the spectacular parallel emergence of the Axial Age and the sequential development in the eonic mainline.

5. Frontier Effect As we explore the eonic effect further we see the subtle way in which the eonic sequence allows our system to produce development sequentially in successive civilizations

6. Eonic determination and free action  Our system/agent hybrid idea is clearly in evidence in the eonic pattern. We will introduce special terms for this in our eonic model, the eonic determination of the transitions, and the free action that operates in the periods outside the system sequence.

Econosequence != eonic sequence Later we will introduce more extensions of the material, but one of the crucial points is to reduce economic systems to this greater totality of the eonic sequence.

This page follows the first half of Chapter Two, and the next page the second.