Would you agree that you can and should OR the outputs of say a 2 stage heating stat to make it a single stage? OR means connect the outputs together. Example: Connect W and W2 to create a single stage stat.

I'm under the impression that either W1 or W2 is activated and not both and that this is done primarily by the magnitude of the difference of the measured and desired temperature.

I'm not really shure what you are asking. Why would you jumper w1 to w2 at the stat or furnace? Another thing is all manufacturers are different, some use time, demand or both. For instance, a Rheem 2 stage furnace will run at 2 stages using a single stage stat with just hooking the stat up to w1 at the furnace it will run 20 minutes at 60% then go to 100% until the call for heat ends.