Possible Methodological Ideas for Periodizing Big History

The chapter delves into the intricate process of periodizing Big History, a field that seeks to understand the universe's development as a single, coherent process. It begins by exploring the inherent human desire to comprehend the origins of all things, a drive that has led to significant advancements in the study of Big History. The text discusses the advantages and disadvantages of presenting the universe's development as a unified process, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach that accounts for the complexities and interconnections of various phases. The chapter examines the purposes of periodization, including the convenience of presenting material, the logical ordering of facts, and the identification of key nodal points in the historical process. It also explores different periodization models, such as three-phase and multi-phase periodizations, and their respective criteria and limitations. The text emphasizes the importance of understanding the methodological guidelines for creating a periodization, including the rules of identical bases, hierarchy, and the close connection with theory. It also discusses the concept of main and lateral lines in periodizations, highlighting the importance of identifying the main line of aromorphic progress and the lateral movements that contribute to evolutionary development. The chapter concludes by presenting a self-analysis of one of the authors' periodizations, discussing its goals, advantages, and disadvantages, and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Big History periodization.