The Persistence Index: Foundations of Persistence Measurement in Persistence Science

Abstract

The Persistence Index provides the foundational framework through which persistence is measured within Persistence Science. The theory formalizes the Persistence Index, Ω = P/D where P denotes Persistence Capacity and D denotes System Decay. As one of the two foundational operational equations of Persistence Science, the Persistence Index provides a dimensionless measure of persistence status and enables comparison of resilience, adaptation, decline, and collapse across diverse systems. The framework develops persistence states, Omega velocity, persistence boundaries, and conditions governing stability, collapse, and compounding growth across biological, organizational, computational, economic, ecological, and physical domains. The Persistence Index supplies the persistence measurement foundation of Persistence Science and provides a common mathematical language through which systemic resilience, adaptation, decline, and collapse may be analyzed across domains.