Hypothesis
Version 5
Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
A Comprehensive Evolutionary Theory Deduced from Thermodynamics
Version 1
: Received: 30 September 2020 / Approved: 1 October 2020 / Online: 1 October 2020 (08:53:19 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 2 October 2020 / Approved: 2 October 2020 / Online: 2 October 2020 (14:36:24 CEST)
Version 3 : Received: 3 November 2020 / Approved: 3 November 2020 / Online: 3 November 2020 (12:46:41 CET)
Version 4 : Received: 19 November 2020 / Approved: 20 November 2020 / Online: 20 November 2020 (11:30:48 CET)
Version 5 : Received: 27 November 2020 / Approved: 27 November 2020 / Online: 27 November 2020 (16:45:19 CET)
Version 6 : Received: 8 December 2020 / Approved: 9 December 2020 / Online: 9 December 2020 (11:01:03 CET)
Version 7 : Received: 27 January 2021 / Approved: 28 January 2021 / Online: 28 January 2021 (12:25:54 CET)
Version 8 : Received: 10 May 2021 / Approved: 10 May 2021 / Online: 10 May 2021 (10:21:15 CEST)
Version 9 : Received: 17 June 2021 / Approved: 17 June 2021 / Online: 17 June 2021 (11:56:15 CEST)
Version 10 : Received: 26 July 2021 / Approved: 26 July 2021 / Online: 26 July 2021 (12:02:52 CEST)
Version 11 : Received: 18 August 2021 / Approved: 18 August 2021 / Online: 18 August 2021 (09:57:59 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 2 October 2020 / Approved: 2 October 2020 / Online: 2 October 2020 (14:36:24 CEST)
Version 3 : Received: 3 November 2020 / Approved: 3 November 2020 / Online: 3 November 2020 (12:46:41 CET)
Version 4 : Received: 19 November 2020 / Approved: 20 November 2020 / Online: 20 November 2020 (11:30:48 CET)
Version 5 : Received: 27 November 2020 / Approved: 27 November 2020 / Online: 27 November 2020 (16:45:19 CET)
Version 6 : Received: 8 December 2020 / Approved: 9 December 2020 / Online: 9 December 2020 (11:01:03 CET)
Version 7 : Received: 27 January 2021 / Approved: 28 January 2021 / Online: 28 January 2021 (12:25:54 CET)
Version 8 : Received: 10 May 2021 / Approved: 10 May 2021 / Online: 10 May 2021 (10:21:15 CEST)
Version 9 : Received: 17 June 2021 / Approved: 17 June 2021 / Online: 17 June 2021 (11:56:15 CEST)
Version 10 : Received: 26 July 2021 / Approved: 26 July 2021 / Online: 26 July 2021 (12:02:52 CEST)
Version 11 : Received: 18 August 2021 / Approved: 18 August 2021 / Online: 18 August 2021 (09:57:59 CEST)
How to cite: Chen, J. A Comprehensive Evolutionary Theory Deduced from Thermodynamics. Preprints 2020, 2020100004. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202010.0004.v5. Chen, J. A Comprehensive Evolutionary Theory Deduced from Thermodynamics. Preprints 2020, 2020100004. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202010.0004.v5.
Abstract
Studies on evolution have made significant progress in multiple disciplines, but evolutionary theories remain scattered and controversial. Here we deduce that, thermodynamically, many carbon-based entities (CBEs) on the Earth tend to absorb energy from widespread relatively temperate heat streams on the Earth flowing from the solar, geothermal, and other energy sources, to form higher-hierarchy CBEs (HHCBEs). This has been the driving force of evolution leading to accumulation and regeneration of HHCBEs for billions of years. We further deduce three progressive mechanisms of evolution from the driving force. We hence establish the CBE evolutionary theory (CBEET) which suggests that evolution driven hierarchy-wise by thermodynamics favors fitness and diversity. The CBEET provides novel explanations for origin of life (abiogenesis), macroevolution, natural selection, sympatric speciation, and animal group evolution in a comprehensive and comprehensible way. It elucidates that altruism, collaboration, and obeying rules with increasing freedom are important throughout the CBE evolution. It refutes thoroughly the notion that negative entropy leads to order in biology which is distinct from order in thermodynamics. It integrates with research advances in multiple disciplines and links up laws of physics, evolution in biology, and harmonious development of human society.
Keywords
carbon-based entity; driving force; energy; evolution; fitness; mechanism; natural selection; speciation; thermodynamics; theory
Subject
BIOLOGY, Anatomy & Morphology
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Commenter: Ji-Ming Chen
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