About the Singularity in Biological and Social Evolution

Ch. 23. P. 517–534.

Malkov S. Y.

Using mathematical modeling, we consider the phenomenon of singularity in the biological and social history. It is shown that hyperbolic trends in biological and social evolution can be explained by transitional processes that accompany the expansion of ecological niches due to periodically occurring revolutionary innovations. During these periods, strong positive feedbacks are actualized, leading to hyperbolic growth. However, this growth is then inhibited, and the system goes into a new qualitative state. Then, there is a relatively slow development of the updated system with a gradual accumulation of quantitative characteristics and a new innovative breakthrough. This cycle then repeats multiple times. In this regard, the system’s hyperbolic growth trends indicate the transitivity of its current state, while the time of singularity in this hyperbolic trend indicates the end of the transition process.

Keywords: singularity, demographic processes, Big History, biological evolution, social evolution

Publication based on the results of: Instruments and Factors of Socio-Political Destabilization in the Middle East and Central Asia (2019)

In book

The 21st Century Singularity and Global Futures. A Big History Perspective

Switzerland: Springer, 2020.