Order: A Conceptual Analysis

Abstract

Order is one of those terms that have been often talked about but never rigorously defined. After a critical survey of existing definitions of order, I propose a more rigorous definition of order. I then develop a framework for measuring and comparing order. I go on to show that without a rigorous definition of order and a proper framework for measuring and comparing order, a central debate regarding order has committed the error of conceptual conflation. Finally, I illustrate the value of the new framework with Norbert Elias’ The Civilizing Process as a masterpiece on the forging of order.

Keywords: order; definition; measurement