principle of linear gradation

The principle of linear gradation is a concept within the Great Chain of Being, a philosophical idea that influenced Western thought. This principle posits that existence is arranged hierarchically, progressing from the simplest forms of being to the most perfect, which is God.1

This concept suggests a continuous and ordered series of existences, where each level shares attributes with its neighbors, forming a "chain". The idea was notably systematized by the Neoplatonist philosopher Plotinus, drawing on earlier ideas from Plato and Aristotle. While the concept of a strict chain of being has largely faded, the idea of gradual progression or change, as seen in the term "gradational," still exists in fields like embryology.123