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arXiv · 0903.4603

Evolution and the second law of thermodynamics

Emory F. Bunn
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Abstract

Skeptics of biological evolution often claim that evolution requires a decrease in entropy, giving rise to a conflict with the second law of thermodynamics. This argument is fallacious because it neglects the large increase in entropy provided by sunlight striking the Earth. A recent article provided a quantitative assessment of the entropies involved and showed explicitly that there is no conflict. That article rests on an unjustified assumption about the amount of entropy reduction involved in evolution. I present a refinement of the argument that does not rely on this assumption.

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Emory F. Bunn. 2009-03-26. Evolution and the second law of thermodynamics. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3119513

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