Evolution as Entropy: Toward a Unified Theory of Biology

by Daniel R. Brooks, E.O. Wiley

In this extensively rewritten second edition, the authors refine their model for a unified theory of biology, answer their critics, incorporate new ideas, and provide additional illustrations and almost one hundred new references.

Genres: Evolution, Science, Biology

429 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1986

Reviews

[Stevie Kaschke]

A very academic book. The main thesis is that evolution is driven primarily by entropic processes. The ideas in this book are well ahead of their time. The modern physicist Jeremey England has recently asked similar questions to what this book explores and answered them in more detail, but these authors were the first to see how physics and biology intertwine in this way.

The book is not written or organized well and the authors frustratingly confuse thermodynamic entropy and information entropy throughout the book. But the ideas are amazing and still coherent. 4 stars for the ideas alone.

[Gary Robert Gress]

(personal notes: These authors suggest that increasing ontogenetic complexity (fitness) should be thought of as an increase in entropy (of the species)). They do not substantiate their ideas and theories with evidence, anecdotal or otherwise.

[Yanick Punter]

Did not live up its potential but that's due to me. I found it well-written but difficult matter. Most of it went over my head. Deserves another read.

[Sherwin]

A brilliant and provoking proposal to add up second law of termodynamics and evolutionary data.