Glossary of Pericology

The role of the glossary

This pericological glossary compiles the fundamental terms of the discipline, founded by Jean Bourdin in 2018. It aims to clarify concepts for practical application in anticipating perils, whether biological, socio-cultural, technological or systemic. Each definition is sourced from the pillars of Pericology (observation , analysis , action) and includes examples for contextual adaptation.

The Identity of Pericology

Jean Bourdin

Jean Bourdin is the founder of Pericology, a discipline he created in 2018 to anticipate and prevent systemic perils. He developed this methodical approach by combining rigorous observation, adaptive analysis and targeted action, inspired by the cooperative dynamics of nature. His role has been to structure Pericology around clear principles, identify warning signals, understand their dynamics and intervene before crises, while making it accessible to everyone, from local communities to decision-makers.

Jean Bourdin

Founder / Pericology

Pericology

"Pericology is an applied discipline of anticipation and prevention of systemic perils." Inspired by the cooperative dynamics of nature, it integrates human, technological, and systemic approaches to observe, analyze, and counter threats before they reach a critical threshold. Focused on peripheral anticipation, it translates existing scientific knowledge on collaboration in fauna and flora into practical methodologies, promoting systemic resilience in various contexts (human teams, natural ecosystems, interconnected technological systems). Its slogan, "See before, stop before," embodies proactive vigilance to preserve essential balances in the face of biological, socio-cultural, technological, or systemic perils.

Pericology

Diagram of Pericology

Pericological Example

Context : A rural community relies on a river for agricultural irrigation. Weak signals (subtle declines in flow, observed via local sensors) indicate an imminent risk of drought, which could reach a tipping point (critical water shortage).

Pericological Application : Inspired by the cooperation of ants (redistribution of resources in the event of stress), Pericology mobilizes farmers to observe warning signals (via participatory surveys), analyze dynamics (impact on crops), and take action (distribute water via a bio-inspired quota system).

Etymology

The term "Pericology " derives from two complementary linguistic roots:

Periculum (Latin): means "danger" or "risk", denoting a potential threat to a balance.

Peri (Greek): means "around" or "nearby," suggesting an all-encompassing, peripheral observation of peril dynamics.

Pericological Sources

Pericologist

A "Pericologist" is a practitioner dedicated to the anticipation and prevention of systemic perils. He acts as a proactive sentinel, observing weak and measurable signals, analyzing the dynamics of perils, and implementing concrete actions to counter them before they reach a tipping point. The pericologist relies on bio-inspired approaches, drawn from the cooperative dynamics of nature, and integrates human, technological and systemic perspectives to preserve essential balances in various contexts (human teams, ecosystems, interconnected systems). Unlike a crisis manager, the pericologist focuses on peripheral anticipation, embodying the principle "See first, stop first".

Pericologist

Pericologist Diagram

Pericological Example

Context : In a small coastal town, weak signals indicate a risk of ecological imbalance : an abnormal increase in algae in the harbor waters, coupled with complaints from fishermen about declining catches. These indicators, not yet linked to an obvious crisis, threaten the local ecosystem and the community economy.

Pericological Application : A Pericologist, trained in proactive observation, detects these signals via community monitoring and environmental sensors (Observation). He analyzes the underlying dynamics, identifying a positive loop where industrial discharges amplify algal proliferation (Analyze). Inspired by the self-regulating mechanisms of coral reefs, he proposes immediate action : coordinate local stakeholders (fishermen, authorities, industrialists) to reduce discharges before an ecological tipping point (Act).

Etymology

Periculum (Latin) : "Danger" or "risk", evoking a potential threat to a balance, whether human, environmental or societal.

Peri (Greek) : "Around" or "nearby", implying an all-encompassing and peripheral vigilance to surround the danger without being limited to its surface.

The term flexibility derives from the Latin flexibilitas , from flexibilis (“foldable, adaptable”), itself formed from the verb flectere (“to bend, to curve”).
Pericological : From the Latin periculum ("danger, risk") and the Greek peri ("around").

Adaptation : From the Latin adaptare ("to adjust, to conform"), formed from ad- ("towards") and aptare ("to make suitable, to adjust").
Contextual : From the Latin contextus ("fabric, connection"), derived from contexere ("to weave together").

The term "agir" comes from the Latin agere , meaning "to do," "to act," or "to lead." This verb, formed from the Indo-European root ag- ("to lead," "to push"), implies a dynamic of intentional and directed movement.

The term analyze comes from the Greek analusis (ἀνάλυσις), formed from ana- ("up", "through") and lusis ("dissolution", "separation"). It literally means "to break down into elements" or "to examine in detail".

Pericological Sources

Decode

In the context of Pericology, "Decoding" refers to the methodological step of interpreting and understanding the level of severity of hazards as well as their critical thresholds, based on weak, measurable or precursor signals identified during the exploration and analysis phases. This action aims to translate the complex dynamics of hazards (biological, socio-cultural, technological or systemic) into usable information to anticipate and prevent their transformation into crises. Decoding is not limited to passive analysis : it is an active, rigorous and contextual approach, which identifies potential tipping points and proposes hypotheses for evolution to guide immediate preventive actions.

Key characteristics : Role : Pivot between analysis (assessment of causes) and action (implementation of solutions), anchored in the methodological pillar. Objective : Transform raw data or signals into strategic understanding, promoting proactive prevention. Pericological specificity : Unlike simple data analysis (e.g.: classic risk management), decode integrates a bio-inspired and interdisciplinary vision, anticipating systemic dynamics.

Decode

Decode diagram

Pericological Example

Context : In September 2025, an emerging systemic peril manifests itself through growing cyber threats, such as ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure (e.g., utilities, hospitals). Verified via the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's 2025-2026 National Cyber Threat Assessment, which notes financial losses and operational disruptions, with cases such as the exploitation of MOVEit vulnerabilities in 2023 (extrapolated to 2025), cross-referenced with French reports on systemic risks in insurance (climate, cyber, pandemic). This peril is interconnected : a local attack can cascade into a global crisis, amplified by emerging states using commercial ecosystems for covert cyber operations.

Pericological Application : In an IT security team (human-technological context, aligned with Holopraxy, after having explored the dynamics (e.g.: increase in intrusion attempts) and analyzed their impact (e.g.: vulnerabilities in file transfer systems), "Decode" evaluates the severity : critical threshold identified at 20% network overload (tipping point towards cascading failure, inspired by negative loops of ecosystem regulation such as redistribution in a coral reef).

Etymology

The term decode comes from the French dé- (a prefix indicating a reverse action or extraction) and coder (from the Latin codex , meaning "register" or "writing"). Originally, codex referred to a set of tablets or organized texts, implying a structure to be deciphered.

Pericological Sources

Key Concepts of Pericology

Key Pericological Concept

The "Key Concepts " designate the fundamental mechanisms that govern the dynamics of perils within Pericology, to anticipate and prevent systemic crises. These concepts, inspired by the cooperative dynamics of nature (fauna and flora), make it possible to model, understand and counter perils before they reach a critical threshold. They include the positive loop (self-reinforcing amplification of perils, e.g., viral propagation in an ecosystem or social panic), the negative loop (regulatory mechanisms stabilizing a system, e.g., body thermal regulation), and the tipping point. Anchored in scientific rigor, these concepts translate biological observations into practical tools for human, technological or systemic contexts, promoting peripheral anticipation.

Key Pericological Concept

Diagram of the key pericological concept

Pericological Example

Context : In a coastal city, dune erosion due to frequent storms threatens local habitats and tourism infrastructure. Weak signals (e.g., decrease in stabilizing vegetation) are detected through pericological observation, but ignored by traditional coastal management approaches.

Pericological Application : Positive loop : Erosion accelerates sand loss, amplifying the vulnerability of dunes to storms (self-reinforcing). Negative loop : Inspired by ecosystems (e.g., plant roots fixing sand), Pericology suggests planting resistant plants to stabilize the dunes, regulating the danger. Tipping point : Identify the threshold where erosion becomes irreversible (e.g., 50% of dunes lost). Preventive action (planting before this threshold) blocks the crisis.

Etymology

The term "Key Concepts" comes from the Latin conceptus ("formed idea, thought") and the English key (from the Old English cǣg , "key"), meaning pivotal notions unlocking the understanding of complex dynamics.
Pericological : From the Latin periculum ("danger, risk") and the Greek peri ("around").

Pericological Sources

The Negative Pericological Loop

In Pericology, the "Pericological Negative Loop" refers to a systemic regulatory mechanism that mitigates or stabilizes a hazard before it reaches a critical threshold, drawing inspiration from the natural feedback dynamics observed in fauna and flora. This process counterbalances amplifying dynamics (positive loops) by mobilizing corrective actions based on the observation of weak or measurable signals. Unlike reactive approaches, the pericological negative loop acts proactively to prevent the escalation of biological, socio-cultural, technological or systemic hazards. It relies on collective coordination and self-management, adapted to local contexts, to maintain a systemic balance.

Negative Pericological Loop

Diagram of the Pericological Negative Loop

Pericological Example

Context : In a small farming community facing increasing soil erosion (emerging peril), farmers are observing declining yields (weak signal). Without intervention, this dynamic could reach a tipping point, rendering the land uncultivable.

Pericological Application : Pericologyapplies a negative loop inspired by forest ecosystems, where the plant cover stabilizes the soil. Farmers, through observation (pericologist as observer), identify the weak signal and analyze the cause (erosion by overgrazing). They act by planting plant hedges (preventive action), which reduce erosion and regulate the danger, preserving the balance of the agricultural system.

Etymology

Loop : From the old French " boucle " (12th century), from the Latin buccula ("small mouth" or "ring"), designating a closed cycle or feedback.
Negative : From the Latin negativus ("which denies" or "opposed"), indicating an action of attenuation or counterbalancing in the face of an amplifying dynamic.
Pericological : Derived from Pericology (Latin periculum , "danger", and Greek peri , "around"), emphasizing the peripheral anticipation of perils.

Pericological Sources

The Positive Pericological Loop

In Pericology, a "Pericological Positive Loop" refers to a self-reinforcing amplification mechanism by which a systemic peril, whether biological, human, technological or mixed, rapidly intensifies through cascading interactions. This concept, inspired by natural dynamics (e.g., propagation of a forest fire by wind reinforcing heat), identifies the thresholds where a weak signal becomes critical, risking a tipping point. Pericology uses it to detect these dynamics early and propose interventions before irreversible escalation. Unlike cybernetic positive loops, it is contextualized in peripheral anticipation, integrating bio-inspired and practical solutions.

Positive Pericological Loop

Diagram of the Positive Pericological Loop

Pericological Example

Context : In an interconnected technological system such as an IoT sensor network in an urban environment (e.g., logistics flow monitoring), an emerging hazard such as a minor overload (weak signal : 5% increased latency) is detected via peri-ecological observation. Without intervention, this overload self-amplifies : neighboring sensors compensate, increasing the overall load, creating a positive loop where the initial failure propagates cumulative errors (e.g., 20% then 50% latency in 24 hours), threatening the systemic balance (tipping point : cascading failure affecting transport and safety).

Pericological Application : Applying Ecosynpraxia, model the loop via natural feedback (e.g.: swarm of bees redistributing tasks to avoid overload). Proactive action : Deploy an analyzer to contrast dynamics (evaluate impact : critical threshold at 30% latency), then act by redistributing tasks via self-managed algorithms (e.g.: 10% reduction of load on adjacent sensors).

Etymology

Loop : From Old French " boucle " (13th century), derived from the Latin buccula ("small mouth" or "ring"), designating a cyclical or repetitive structure.
Positive : From the Latin positivus (“posited, affirmed”), indicating an amplification or reinforcement in a system.
Pericological : Derived from periculum (Latin, "danger") and péri (Greek, "around"), emphasizing the peripheral anticipation of dangerous dynamics .

Pericological Sources

The Pericological Tipping Point

The "Pericological Tipping Point" refers to the critical threshold at which a peril, whether biological, socio-cultural, technological or systemic, reaches a level of intensity such that it becomes an irreversible or difficult to control crisis. In Pericology, this concept identifies the moment at which peril dynamics (amplified by positive loops or mitigated by negative loops) exceed a point of equilibrium, leading to a systemic tipping point. This is a key indicator for proactive anticipation, allowing action to be taken before critical thresholds are crossed.

Pericological Tipping Point

Diagram of the pericological tipping point

Pericological Example

Context : A small project team in a technology company is facing work overload due to tight deadlines. Weak signals (decreased communication, increased fatigue) are detected through daily meetings but not addressed.

Pericological Application : Inspired by bio-inspired regulatory mechanisms (e.g., redistribution of resources in an ant colony), Pericology aims to identify the tipping point (risk of collective burnout threatening the project). The observer identifies the signals (e.g., frequent errors), the analyzer evaluates the threshold (e.g., 80% of members overloaded), and the action consists of reallocating tasks or integrating a structured break, blocking the danger before the crisis.

Etymology

The term derives from the French expression "point de bascule , from physical and mechanical vocabulary, where "bass" (from the Latin bascula , balance) evokes a pivot or a sudden change of state.
“Pericological” comes from the Latin periculum (danger, risk) and the Greek peri (around), emphasizing a peripheral and anticipatory approach to threats.

Pericological Sources

The Critical Threshold

In Pericology, the "Critical Threshold" refers to the precise point where a peril, through its intensification or accumulation, reaches a level where it threatens to tip into an irreversible or difficult-to-control systemic crisis. This concept, central to the discipline, marks the boundary between a manageable state and a state where destabilization dynamics (often amplified by positive loops) escape regulatory mechanisms (negative loops). It is a key indicator for anticipation, allowing pericologists to identify the moment when proactive intervention becomes imperative to avoid a tipping point. In an ecosystem, it can correspond to a level of pollution where biodiversity begins to collapse. The critical threshold is measurable (via data or observations) and contextual, adapting to the specificities of human, biological or technological systems.

Critical Threshold

Critical threshold diagram

Pericological Example

Context : In an interconnected factory using IoT sensors to monitor production, a progressive overload of machines (weak signal : 10% increase in energy consumption) threatens a cascading failure affecting the regional supply chain.

Pericological Application : A pericologist, using the Cyclosynpraxy approach, detects this weak signal using bio-inspired modeling (e.g., redistribution of flows in a forest ecosystem). Before the critical threshold is reached (total failure of the machines), he proposes a dynamic reallocation of tasks between machines, reducing the load by 15% and stabilizing the system. This preventive action, guided by the analysis of positive loops, avoids a logistics crisis

Etymology

Threshold : From the Latin sulium (or solum , base, ground), designating a physical or symbolic limit or border, like the step of a door
Criticism : From the Greek kritikos (from krinein , to judge, to discern), meaning a decisive moment or situation requiring precise judgment.

Derived from the Greek kuklos ("cycle", "circle"), sun ("together", "with") and praxis ("action", "practice").

Pericological Sources

Bio-Inspired Aspects of Pericology

Pericological Ecosystem

In the context of Pericology, an "ecosystem" refers to a dynamic set of interactions between living (human, animal, plant) and non-living (technological, environmental) entities within a given context, serving as a source of inspiration to anticipate and prevent systemic perils. It is not only a classical ecological concept, but a bio-inspired model of cooperation, self-management and feedback, applied to interconnected human, biological or technological systems. The ecosystem, in Pericology, is an observation matrix to detect warning signals of perils and design pragmatic preventive solutions, anchored in the collaborative dynamics of nature. It embodies the human/peril interconnection, where each component influences the overall balance, requiring peripheral vigilance to block dangers before their tipping point.

Pericological Ecosystem

Diagram of the pericological ecosystem

Pericological Example

Background : In an automated factory, a network of interconnected machines (sensors, robots, AI systems) forms a technological ecosystem. A weak signal (a sensor overheating) indicates a risk of cascading failure, threatening production.

Pericological Application : Inspired by the regulation of a forest ecosystem (where trees redistribute water to avoid water stress), Pericology applies a negative loop : an observer (monitoring system) detects overheating, an analyzer (algorithm) evaluates its potential impact, and an action (redistribution of the load to other machines) is implemented to prevent the breakdown. This avoids a tipping point (total shutdown) and maintains the balance of the system.

Etymology

The term ecosystem comes from the Greek oikos ("house", "habitat") and systēma ("organized whole", derived from syn- "with" and hístēmi "to place"). Appearing in 1935 in the work of Arthur Tansley, it initially referred to the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Pericological : From the Latin periculum ("danger, risk") and the Greek peri ("around").

Pericological Sources

Human/Peril Interconnection

The "Human/Peril Interconnection" refers to the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between human actions, behaviors or decisions and systemic perils (biological, socio-cultural, technological or systemic). In Pericology, this concept emphasizes that humans are neither mere victims nor sole triggers of perils, but interconnected actors in feedback loops (positive or negative) that amplify or mitigate peril dynamics. It is inspired by the cooperative balances of natural ecosystems, where each element influences and is influenced by its environment. The Human/Peril Interconnection requires peripheral observation to detect weak signals and proactive action to prevent tipping points.

Human/Peril Interconnection

Human/Peril Interconnection Diagram

Pericological Example

Context : In a coastal farming community, weak signals (e.g., increased soil erosion, observed via local sensors) indicate an emerging peril linked to the interconnection between human activity (intensive overcropping) and an environmental imbalance (rising salt waters). Farmers, dependent on these lands, unwittingly amplify the peril through their practices, creating a positive loop (mutual aggravation of human-environmental factors).

Pericological Application : Drawing inspiration from bio-inspired dynamics (e.g., regulation of mangroves through resource redistribution), Pericology mobilizes Ecosynpraxie to observe (sensors measuring erosion), analyze (modeling of crop-saltwater interactions) and act (introduce salt-resistant crops and raise awareness among farmers about self-management). This breaks the positive loop, stabilizing the system before the tipping point (agricultural collapse).

Etymology

Interconnection : From the Latin inter ("between") and connexio ("link, relationship"), meaning a reciprocal relationship between elements.
Human : From the Latin humanus ("that which is proper to man"), here encompassing collective actions, decisions and impacts.
Peril : From the Latin periculum ("danger, ordeal"), central to Pericology to designate an emerging or established systemic threat.

Peril : From the Latin periculum , meaning "danger", "risk" or "ordeal", implying a potential threat to a balance.
Diffuse : From the Latin diffusus , past participle of diffundere ("to spread", "to disperse"), formed from dis- ("apart", "in multiple directions") and fundere ("to pour", "to spread").

Signal : From the Latin signum ("sign, mark"), designating an index or a perceptible manifestation of a phenomenon.
Measurable : Derived from the Latin mensura ("measure") and the verb metiri ("to measure").