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"Thermoeconomics": Time to move beyond the second law
1Institute for the Study of Complex Systems, 900 University Street, D-X, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
Abstract:
The term "thermoeconomics" denotes a paradigm shift in our understanding of the role of energy in living systems, and in evolution. It is based on the proposition that energy in biological evolution can best be defined and understood, not in terms of the Second Law of Thermodynamics but in terms of such economic criteria as productivity, efficiency, and especially the costs and benefits (or "profitability") of various mechanisms for capturing and utilizing energy to build biomass and do work. Thus, thermoeconomics is fully consistent with contemporary evolutionary theory. Functional criteria provide a better explanation of the advances (and recessions) in bioenergetic technologies in evolution than does any formulation derived from the Second Law.
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