The Virtue of Stability

 

Introduction to the Virtue of Stability

The virtue of stability is an old idea of mine that dates from 1992, which I’ve never published. I’m presenting the virtue of stability now because I’m not generating enough interest in the other important creative products I have, my…

— Doug Alderman (@Harry_Magnet) April 4, 2025

The Virtue of Stability Part 1—The Basics

“The virtue of stability” sounds like something religious. It’s usually associated with monasticism. A monk takes a vow of stability, which means he will remain at his chosen monastery for life. This is an example of extreme stability,…

— Doug Alderman (@Harry_Magnet) April 4, 2025

The Virtue of Stability Part 2—The Novelty Seeking Personality & Secondary Principles.

Here’s a reminder of the primary and secondary principles of the virtue of stability. There are 3 primary principles:

1) Maintain stability, unless a change has clear benefits that outweigh…

— Doug Alderman (@Harry_Magnet) April 4, 2025

The basic idea of the virtue of stabilty is that for individuals and groups of people, stability should be the default, and change should be cost justified. This is different from the prevailing view that change should be the default, and stability needs to be cost justified.

There are 3 primary principles:

1. Maintain stability, unless a change has clear benefits that outweigh costs.
2. The bigger the change, the bigger the net benefits should be.
3. Change should be done gradually, if possible.

There are 3 secondary principles:

1. Stability usually leads to more stability.
2. Instability usually leads to more instability.
3. The tolerance for instability is finite.