Preprint Concept Paper Version 3 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

A Forth Law of Thermodynamics: Synergy Increases Free Energy While Decreasing Entropy

Version 1 : Received: 17 July 2020 / Approved: 19 July 2020 / Online: 19 July 2020 (18:57:32 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 25 August 2021 / Approved: 27 August 2021 / Online: 27 August 2021 (11:31:19 CEST)
Version 3 : Received: 8 October 2021 / Approved: 8 October 2021 / Online: 8 October 2021 (10:59:21 CEST)

How to cite: Jaffe, K. A Forth Law of Thermodynamics: Synergy Increases Free Energy While Decreasing Entropy. Preprints 2020, 2020070422. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202007.0422.v3 Jaffe, K. A Forth Law of Thermodynamics: Synergy Increases Free Energy While Decreasing Entropy. Preprints 2020, 2020070422. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202007.0422.v3

Abstract

Synergy, emerges from synchronized reciprocal positive feedback loops between a network of diverse actors. For this process to proceed, compatible information from different sources synchronically coordinates the actions of the actors resulting in a nonlinear increase in the useful work or potential energy the system can manage. In contrast noise is produced when incompatible information is mixed. This synergy produced from the coordination of different agents achieves non-linear gains in free energy and in information (negentropy) that are greater than the sum of the parts. The final product of new synergies is an increase in individual autonomy of an organism that achieves increased emancipation from the environment with increases in productivity, efficiency, capacity for flexibility, self-regulation and self-control of behavior through a synchronized division of ever more specialized labor. Examples that provide quantitative data for this phenomenon are presented. Results show that increases in free energy density require decreases in entropy density. This is proposed as a law of thermodynamics.

Keywords

Entropy; Free energy; Synergy

Subject

Physical Sciences, Thermodynamics

Comments (1)

Comment 1
Received: 8 October 2021
Commenter: Klaus Jaffe
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author
Comment: A new figure facilitating the understanding of free energy and the introduction and discussion have been sligthy improved.
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