Evolution and irreversibility: Two distinct phenomena and their distinct laws of nature

A. Bejan*, H. Almahmoud, U. Gunes, H. E. Fakhari, P. Mardanpour

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

To clarify the place of time direction of change in nature (time arrow), the present article shows why Evolution and Irreversibility are two distinct phenomena. Their distinct laws of nature are the Constructal Law and the Second Law, respectively. The demonstration is based on the simplest setting imaginable: a solid body moving in a pool of water. The view is holistic: the system selected for analysis is the body and the pool, not the body alone, and the phenomenon is the evolution of the image (configuration) of the whole. New is also the answer to the question of what flows in this evolving flow configuration. Along the way, important terms are defined: phenomenon, law, irreversibility, nature, design, freedom, theory versus empiricism, information, knowledge, selection, purpose, engine, refrigeration, and wheel. More complex natural settings for the demonstration are in the second part of the article: engines, refrigeration, heating and cooling, the wheel, and a pushed boat sliding on water.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-116
Number of pages14
JournalPhysics of Life Reviews
Volume50
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024

Keywords

  • Change
  • Constructal law
  • Evolution
  • Freedom
  • Irreversibility
  • Second law
  • Swimming
  • Time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Artificial Intelligence

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