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Latest Physics Theories May Help Challenge Evolution
ECR/Technology Review ^ | 30 Mar 10 | EC

Posted on 03/30/2010 8:53:37 AM PDT by nysuperdoodle

The latest theories on the nature and origin of gravity are generating lots of interest from those looking to unify the various systems (Einsteinian, Newtonian, Quantum, String Theory) of looking at our universe, and bringing to the forefront the importance of the second law of thermodynamics as an organizing principle in our universe. The problem is that the second law of thermodynamics and evolution are pretty much incompatible, as EC explains...

(Excerpt) Read more at evilconservativeonline.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: evolution; physics; quantum; thermodynamics
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1 posted on 03/30/2010 8:53:38 AM PDT by nysuperdoodle
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To: nysuperdoodle

> The problem is that the second law of thermodynamics and > evolution are pretty much incompatible

Imagine that.

Let’s see what loophole modern physics can provide for the evolutionist.


2 posted on 03/30/2010 8:56:18 AM PDT by Westbrook (Having more children does not divide your love, it multiplies it.)
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To: nysuperdoodle
Evolution has more incompatibilities than compatibilities.
3 posted on 03/30/2010 8:58:18 AM PDT by Retired Greyhound
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To: nysuperdoodle
The problem is that the second law of thermodynamics and evolution are pretty much incompatible, as EC explains...

How is the flow of heat incompatible with evolution?

4 posted on 03/30/2010 9:01:42 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: nysuperdoodle

No. The second law of thermodynamics and evolution are not in any way incompatible. Evolution is consistent with the 2nd law because energy is being added to the earth’s ecosystem, which allows a locally more complex system such as life to be added because the overall entropy (state of disorder) for the solar system as a whole increases. This particular aspect of science does not by itself refute evolution, but neither does it prove evolution. Evolution is consistent with other scientific theories; the question is whether the theory matches the facts.


5 posted on 03/30/2010 9:02:22 AM PDT by Pollster1 (Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)
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To: nysuperdoodle
In simple terms, the second law is an expression of the fact that over time, ignoring the effects of self-gravity, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential tend to even out in a physical system that is isolated from the outside world. Source

Thus, over time the universe should eventually become a homogenius mass of atoms - but that is not what we observe. We see that left on their own, atoms attract each other and form Nublae, stars, planets and moons. This seems to indicate that the universe seems to create order from chaos.

The same thing could be said about 'evolution'. No one would agrue that early reptiles had inferior circluatory systems compared to their modern equivalent. Each generation of sports stars exceeds records established just a few years prior. Go figure.

6 posted on 03/30/2010 9:02:58 AM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Pollster1
Evolution is consistent with the 2nd law because energy is being added to the earth’s ecosystem, which allows a locally more complex system such as life to be added because the overall entropy (state of disorder) for the solar system as a whole increases.

Not necessarily. I can throw a bunch of watch parts into a pan and heat them on my stove, and the parts won't increase in order merely because the overall entropy of the stovetop is increasing.

For this particular evolutionist argument to work, they need to take into account that the addition of energy to the earth's ecosystem must undergo the application of organisation, which is what life does. However, it is completely inadequate to explain where that organisation came from in the first place. At best, this attempt by evolutionists to get around the thermodynamics problem for evolution does nothing more than simply point out the tautology that already-existing life uses energy to increase and expand its organisation.

7 posted on 03/30/2010 9:09:24 AM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (We bury Democrats face down so that when they scratch, they get closer to home.)
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To: Westbrook
This is just plain silly. Evolution and the 2nd law of thermodynamics are not incompatible. Processes considered part of thermodynamically open systems, such as biological processes that are constantly receiving, transforming and dissipating chemical energy (and even the earth itself which is constantly receiving and dissipating solar energy), can and do exhibit properties of self organization far from thermodynamic equilibrium.

No loopholes are required. An open system is different than a closed system.

You can not prove that God created everything because that would negate faith. God requires faith.

I'm not saying that evolution happened, but that you'll never be able to disprove it. Looking for the fingerprints of God is trying to set yourself up as superior to God. Good luck trying to find a fault in His perfect creation.

8 posted on 03/30/2010 9:10:14 AM PDT by Tao Yin
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To: Pollster1
Concur. To add a philosophical bit to it, it's a fitting irony that the driving engine of all natural change also points to its ultimate demise.
9 posted on 03/30/2010 9:10:39 AM PDT by Joe Brower (Sheep have three speeds: "graze", "stampede" and "cower".)
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To: Pollster1

In order for the universe to have order, it must, by definition, be a non-contained system. Who or what is adding energy (work) to this system to give it order? I see three possibilities: 1 - it just magically happens and we should stop asking questions 2 - the Second Law of Thermodynamics is wrong. 3 - God


10 posted on 03/30/2010 9:10:48 AM PDT by nysuperdoodle
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To: nysuperdoodle

Not only is the 2nd law of thermodynamics not incompatible with Darwinian evolution, it’s actually a necessary component.
No entropy = no mutations = no diversity = no natural selection = no Darwinian evolution.


11 posted on 03/30/2010 9:11:07 AM PDT by goodusername
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To: nysuperdoodle
I'm not much of an Evolutionist but...

Dumb matter & energy breaking down to simpler forms - Entropy.

Conscious life working in an environment, making decisions to benefit it - Enthalpy.

Ridiculous argument.

12 posted on 03/30/2010 9:12:46 AM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ("It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
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To: nysuperdoodle

I always thought that Evolution came from the “Big Boink!”


13 posted on 03/30/2010 9:13:07 AM PDT by Young Werther ("Quar cum ita sunt" Since these things are so!)
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To: nysuperdoodle
EC has obviously never heard of Iliya Prigogine. There are other reasons to doubt or critizise neo-Darwinism, but this is not it.
14 posted on 03/30/2010 9:13:33 AM PDT by ScaniaBoy (Part of the Right Wing Research & Attack Machine)
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To: goodusername

It’s not yet been proven that speciation exists. This is problematic.

Arguing that things go from lower to higher organisation is contrary to the 2nd Law, unless of course you have something coming in and adding things which isn’t a part of darwinian evolution.


15 posted on 03/30/2010 9:13:45 AM PDT by BenKenobi ("we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be")
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To: Westbrook
The problem is that the second law of thermodynamics and evolution are pretty much incompatible

No, the problem is that creationists don't understand thermodynamics.

16 posted on 03/30/2010 9:18:16 AM PDT by NonZeroSum
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To: nysuperdoodle

When solar energy is added to the earth, the sun’s entropy increases (via fusion) by more than the added organization from life on the earth causes entropy on earth to decrease. There is no conflict here. [And, no, I don’t want to get into the mathematical definition of entropy - look it up if you’re curious and skilled with math.]


17 posted on 03/30/2010 9:18:23 AM PDT by Pollster1 (Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)
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To: nysuperdoodle

I thought the word went out long ago to stop using the 2nd Law argument against evolution because it just makes creationists look silly.


18 posted on 03/30/2010 9:21:54 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
For this particular evolutionist argument to work, they need to take into account that the addition of energy to the earth's ecosystem must undergo the application of organisation, which is what life does. However, it is completely inadequate to explain where that organisation came from in the first place. At best, this attempt by evolutionists to get around the thermodynamics problem for evolution does nothing more than simply point out the tautology that already-existing life uses energy to increase and expand its organisation.

Are you submitting that it is impossible for life to have the ability to evolve?

19 posted on 03/30/2010 9:25:13 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Pollster1
Evolution is consistent with the 2nd law because energy is being added to the earth’s ecosystem, which allows a locally more complex system such as life to be added because the overall entropy (state of disorder) for the solar system as a whole increases.

No, it is inconsistent with the second law.

Entrophy is decreased only with a particular type of energy i.e. work. Random energy, in the context of biological evolution, cannot reduce entrophy, it can only increase entrophy.

Random energy


20 posted on 03/30/2010 9:27:07 AM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan (Sarah Palin "the Thrilla from Wasilla")
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