Progress in Entropy Principle, as Disclosed by Nine Schools of Thermodynamics, and Its Ecological Implication

The entropy principle has been commonly considered to be a selection principle. A history/philosophy-of-science analysis of development in thermodynamic thought was carried out based on historical account contributions thermodynamics nine Schools plus that Mayer/Joule (the Mayer-Joule principle), publication Treatise Heat and Energy, maximum production (MEPP), process ecology formulated by Ulanowicz. discloses the dual nature principle, as causal well thermodynamics: equilibrium (Gibbsian thermodynamics) “engineering” general sense. Entropy-growth-potential (EGP) agent theory engineering entail concept necessity, suggested Poincare. Recent into (MEPP) is then critically analyzed. Special attention paid MEPP’s explanatory power biological orders vs. ecology: whereas MEPP asserts universal approach physics biology physical necessity efficient causation, case for “EGP ecology” allows different from allowing additional presupposition efficacious causation.