Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems
Evolution is customarily perceived as a biological process. However, when formulated in terms of physics, evolution is understood to entail everything. Based on the axiom of everything comprising quanta of actions (e.g., quanta of light), statistical physics describes any system evolving toward ther...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/12/1590 |
| _version_ | 1797504943894036480 |
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| author | Arto Annila |
| author_facet | Arto Annila |
| author_sort | Arto Annila |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Evolution is customarily perceived as a biological process. However, when formulated in terms of physics, evolution is understood to entail everything. Based on the axiom of everything comprising quanta of actions (e.g., quanta of light), statistical physics describes any system evolving toward thermodynamic balance with its surroundings systems. Fluxes of quanta naturally select those processes leveling out differences in energy as soon as possible. This least-time maxim results in ubiquitous patterns (i.e., power laws, approximating sigmoidal cumulative curves of skewed distributions, oscillations, and even the regularity of chaos). While the equation of evolution can be written exactly, it cannot be solved exactly. Variables are inseparable since motions consume driving forces that affect motions (and so on). Thus, evolution is inherently a non-deterministic process. Yet, the future is not all arbitrary but teleological, the final cause being the least-time free energy consumption itself. Eventually, trajectories are computable when the system has evolved into a state of balance where free energy is used up altogether. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:11:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6a497d3ec3f464ba12ad2c549b3a77c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:11:36Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6a497d3ec3f464ba12ad2c549b3a77c2023-11-23T08:10:19ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002021-11-012312159010.3390/e23121590Statistical Physics of Evolving SystemsArto Annila0Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandEvolution is customarily perceived as a biological process. However, when formulated in terms of physics, evolution is understood to entail everything. Based on the axiom of everything comprising quanta of actions (e.g., quanta of light), statistical physics describes any system evolving toward thermodynamic balance with its surroundings systems. Fluxes of quanta naturally select those processes leveling out differences in energy as soon as possible. This least-time maxim results in ubiquitous patterns (i.e., power laws, approximating sigmoidal cumulative curves of skewed distributions, oscillations, and even the regularity of chaos). While the equation of evolution can be written exactly, it cannot be solved exactly. Variables are inseparable since motions consume driving forces that affect motions (and so on). Thus, evolution is inherently a non-deterministic process. Yet, the future is not all arbitrary but teleological, the final cause being the least-time free energy consumption itself. Eventually, trajectories are computable when the system has evolved into a state of balance where free energy is used up altogether.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/12/1590dissipative systemsevolutionfree energynatural selectionpower lawsquantum of action |
| spellingShingle | Arto Annila Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems Entropy dissipative systems evolution free energy natural selection power laws quantum of action |
| title | Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems |
| title_full | Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems |
| title_fullStr | Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems |
| title_short | Statistical Physics of Evolving Systems |
| title_sort | statistical physics of evolving systems |
| topic | dissipative systems evolution free energy natural selection power laws quantum of action |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/12/1590 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT artoannila statisticalphysicsofevolvingsystems |