Abstract
Proponents of two axioms of biological evolutionary theory have attempted to find justification by reference to nonequilibrium thermodynamics. One states that biological systems and their evolutionary diversification are physically improbable states and transitions, resulting from a selective process; the other asserts that there is an historically constrained inherent directionality in evolutionary dynamics, independent of natural selection, which exerts a self-organizing influence. The first, the Axiom of Improbability, is shown to be nonhistorical and thus, for a theory of change through time, acausal. Its perception of the improbability of living states is at least partially an artifact of closed system thinking. The second, the Axiom of Historically Determined Inherent Directionality, is supported evidentially and has an explicit historical component. Historically constrained dynamic populations are inherently nonequilibrium systems. It is argued that living, evolving systems, when considered to be historically constrained nonequilibrium systems, do not appear improbable at all. Thus, the two axioms are not compatible. Instead, the Axiom of Improbability is considered to result from an unjustified attempt to extend the contingent proximal actions of natural selection into the area of historical, causal explanations. It is thus denied axiomatic status, and the effects of natural selection are subsumed as an additional level of constraint in an evolutionary theory derived from the Axiom of Historically Determined Inherent Directionality.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, P.M. (1981). The evolutionary paradigm of dissipative structures. In E. Jantsch, ed., The evolutionary vision, 25–72. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.
Ayala, F.J. (1976). Biology as an autonomous science. In M. Grene and E. Mendelsohn, eds., Topics in the philosophy of science, Vol. 27, 312–329, Boston studies in the philosophy of science. Boston: D. Reidel.
Bernstein, H., Byerly, H.C., Hopf, F.A., Michod, R.A., and Vemulapalli, G.K. (1983). The Darwinian dynamic.- Quart Rev Biol 58: 185–207.
Bowler, P.J. (1983). The eclipse of Darwinism.- Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Brooks, D.R. (1980). Allopatric speciation and non-interactive parasite community structure.- Syst Zool 29: 192–203.
Brooks, D.R. (1981). Classifications as languages of empirical comparitive biology. In V.A. Funk and D.R. Brooks, eds., Advances in cladistics, Vol. 1, 61–70. New York: New York Botanical Garden.
Brooks, D.R., Leblond, P.H., and Cumming, D.D. (1984). Information and entropy in a simple evolution model.- J theor Biol 109: 77–93.
Brooks, D.R., and Wiley, E.O. (1984). Evolution as an entropic phenomenon. In J.W. Pollard, ed., Evolutionary theory: paths to the future, 141–171. London: John Wiley and Sons.
Brooks, D.R., and Wiley, E.O. (1985). Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and evolution: responses to Bookstein and to Wicken.- Syst Zool 34: 89–97.
Brooks, D.R., and Wiley, E.O. (in press). Evolution as entropy: Toward a unified theory of biology.- Chicago: Univ Chicago Press.
Chalesworth, B., Lande, R., and Slatkin, M. (1982). A neo-Darwinian commentary on macroevolution.- Evolution 36: 474–498.
Churchland, P.M. (1982). Is thinker a natural kind?- Dialogue 21: 223–238.
Denbigh, K.G. (1975). A non-conserved function for organized systems. In L. Kubat and J. Zemen, eds., Entropy and information in science and philosophy, 83–92. New York: American Elsevier.
Edelman, G.M. (1984). Cell-adhesion molecules: A molecular basis for animal form.- Scientific Amer 250: 118–129.
Elsasser, W.M. (1983). Biological application of the statistical concepts used in the Second Law.- J theor Biol 105: 103–116.
Fleagle, J.G. (1977). Locomotor behavior and muscular anatomy of sympatric Malaysian leaf-monkeys (Presbytis obscura and Presbytis melalophes).- Amer J Phys Anthropol 46: 297–308.
Fleagle, J.G. (1979). Primate positional behavior and anatomy: naturalistic and experimental approaches. In M.E. Morbeck, H. Preuschoft, and N. Gomberg, eds., Environment, behavior and morphology, 313–325. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer.
Frautschi, S. (1982). Entropy in an expanding universe.- Science 217: 593–599.
Galton, F. (1892). Hereditary genius. Rev. ed. Reprinted ed.- Cleveland: Meridian, 1962.
Gatlin, L.L. (1972). Information theory and the living system.- New York: Columbia University Press.
Goodwin, B.C. (1982). Development and evolution.- J theor Biol 97: 43–55.
Gould, S.J. (1980). Is a new and general theory of evolution emerging? - Paleobiol 6: 119–130.
Gould, S.J., and Lewontin, R.C. (1979). The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian Paradigm: A critique of the adaptationist programme. Proc R Soc Lond B205: 581–598.
Haken, H. (1978). Synergetics.- Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Hamilton, H.J. (1977). A thermodynamic theory of the origin and hierarchical evolution of living systems.- Zygon 12: 289–335.
Heitler, W. (1966). Man and science. In R.T. Blackburn, ed., Interrelation: the biological and physical sciences, 172–184.- Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Co.
Hempel, C.G. (1965). Aspects of scientific explanation.- New York: Free Press.
Hennig, W. (1966). Phylogenetic systematics.- Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
Hofstadter, D.R. (1979). Gödel, Escher, Bach.- New York: Basic Books.
Hollinger, H.B., and Zenzen, M.J. (1982). An interpretation of macroscopic irreversibility within the Newtonian framework.- Philos Sci 49: 309–354.
Holmes, S.J. (1944). Recapitulation and its supposed causes.- Quart Rev Biol 19: 319–331.
Jacob, F. (1982). The possible and the actual.- New York: Pantheon.
Jantsch, E. (ed.) (1981). The evolutionary vision.- Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.
Johnson, L. (1981). The thermodynamic origin of ecosystems.- Can J Fish Aquat Sci 38: 571–580.
Karreman, G. (1955). Topological information content and chemical reactions.- Bull math Biophysics 17: 279–285.
36.Kelley, H.J. (1969). Entropy of knowledge.- Philos Sci 36: 178–196.
Kettlewell, H.B.D. (1955). Selection experiments on industrial melanism in the Lepidoptera.- Heredity 9: 323–342.
Kettlewell, H.B.D. (1961). Geographical melanism in the Lepidoptera of Shetland.- Heredity 16: 393–402.
Kettlewell, H.B.D. (1965). Insect survival and selection for pattern. Science 148: 1290–1296.
Lauder, G.V. (1981). Form and function: Structural analysis in evolutionary morphology.- Paleobiol 7: 430–442.
Lauder, G.V. (1982). Historical biology and the problem of design. J theor Biol 97: 57–67.
Layzer, D. (1975). The arrow of time.- Scientific Amer 233(6): 56–69.
Mann, A.K., and Primakoff, H. (1983). Statistical fluctuation versus specific mechanism and the origin of the left-handed assymetry of proteins.- Origins of Life 13: 113–118.
Mayr, E. (1974). Teleological and teleonomic, a new analysis. In R.S. Cohen and M.W. Wartofsky, eds., Methodological and historical essays in the natural and social sciences, 91–117, Vol. 14, Boston studies in the philosophy of science.- Boston: D. Reidel.
Mayr, E. (1983). How to carry out the adaptionist program?- Amer Nat 121: 324–334.
Nagel, E. (1977). Teleology revisited.- J Philos 74: 271–301.
Nagel, E., and Newman, J.R. (1958). Gödel's Proof.- New York: New York University Press.
O'Grady, R.T. (1984). Evolutionary theory and teleology.- J theor Biol 107: 563–578.
Pittendrigh, C.S. (1958). Adaptation, natural selection and behavior. In A. Roe and G.G. Simpson, eds., Behavior and evolution, 390–416.- New Haven: Yale University Press.
Polanyi, M. (1968). Life's irreducible structure.- Science 160: 1308–1312.
Prigogine, I. (1980). From being to becoming.- San Francisco: W.H. Freeman.
Prigogine, I., and Stengers, I. (1984). Order out of chaos.- New York: Bantam.
Shimizu, H., and Haken, H. (1983). Co-operative dynamics in organelles. - J theor Biol 104: 261–273.
Schrödinger, E. (1945). What is life?- Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Simpson, G.G. (1958). Behavior and evolution. In A. Roe and G.G. Simpson, eds., Behavior and evolution, 507–535.- New Haven: Yale University Press.
Smith, R.J. (1982). On the mechanical reduction of function and morphology.- J theor Biol 96: 99–106.
57.Tax, S. (ed.) (1960). Evolution after Darwin, Vol. 3, The evolution of life.- Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Thompson, D'A. (1917). On growth and form.- Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Thompson, R.P. (1982). Explaining complexity in evolution.- Dialogue 21: 255–269.
Waddington, C.H. (1977). Tools for thought.- St. Alban's: Paladin.
Wicken, J.S. (1979). The generation of complexity in evolution: A thermodynamic and information-theoretical discussion.- J theor Biol 77: 349–365.
Wicken, J.S. (1981). Causal explanations in classical and statistical thermodynamics.- Philos Sci 48: 65–77.
Wiley, E.O., and Brooks, D.R. (1982). Victims of history — a non-equilibrium approach to evolution.- Syst Zool 31: 1–24.
Wiley, E.O., and Brooks, D.R. (1983). Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and evolution: A response to Løvtrop.- Syst Zool 32: 209–219.
Yockey, H.P. (1972). Information theory with applications to biogenesis and evolution. In A. Locker, ed., Biogenesis, evolution, homeostasis, 9–23.- New York: Springer Verlag.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brooks, D.R., O'Grady, R.T. Nonequilibrium thermodynamics and different axioms of evolution. Acta Biotheor 35, 77–106 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118368
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118368