Evolution and irreversibility: Two distinct phenomena and their distinct laws of nature.

To clarify the place of time direction of change in nature (time arrow), the present article shows why Evolution and Irreversibility are two distinct phenomena. Their distinct laws of nature are the Constructal Law and the Second Law, respectively. The demonstration is based on the simplest setting imaginable: a solid body moving in a pool of water. The view is holistic: the system selected for analysis is the body and the pool, not the body alone, and the phenomenon is the evolution of the image (configuration) of the whole. New is also the answer to the question of what flows in this evolving flow configuration. Along the way, important terms are defined: phenomenon, law, irreversibility, nature, design, freedom, theory versus empiricism, information, knowledge, selection, purpose, engine, refrigeration, and wheel. More complex natural settings for the demonstration are in the second part of the article: engines, refrigeration, heating and cooling, the wheel, and a pushed boat sliding on water.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Adrian Bejan reports financial support was provided by Captive Aire Systems. Adrian Bejan reports financial support was provided by U.S.Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Pezhman Mardanpour reports financial support was provided by U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Adrian Bejan reports a relationship with U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research that includes: funding grants. Adrian Bejan reports a relationship with Captive Aire Systems that includes: funding grants. Pezhman Mardanpour reports a relationship with U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research that includes: funding grants. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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