gradualism vs. punctuated equilibrium
[graj-oo-uh-liz-uhm]
/ ˈgrædʒ u əˌlɪz əm /
noun
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the principle or policy of achieving some goal by gradual steps rather than by drastic change.
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Philosophy. a theory maintaining that two seemingly conflicting notions are not radically opposed, but are related by others partaking in varying degrees of the character of both.
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Biology. a tenet in evolutionary theory maintaining that species evolve slowly and continuously over long periods of geological time.