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Guzmán
11-17-2006, 12:00 PM
Anyway last year I was studying Thermodynamics from a book "Fundamentos de Termodinámica" by Van Wylen, Sonntag and Borgnakke (it was a Spanish translation, i dont know the English name of the Book) when I came upon a fragment which is, controversial, to say the least. Here is an excerpt of the most significant parts (bear in mind that i am translating it back from spanish to english myself, so if you know the original book, you probably wont find it like this):

"The final observation is that the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the principle of the increment in entropy are related to philosphy. Does the Second Law apply to the Universe as a whole? Are there any unknown processes taking place somewhere in the Universe , such as "continuous creation", with which a decrement in entropy is associated, and therefore, balance the continuous increase of it taking place in the natural processes we know? (...) It is impossible, obviously to give conclusive answers to this questions basing ourselves only in the Second Law. However, this law should be seen as the description of the previous and ongoing work of a creator who is also holder of the answer to the future destiny of mankind and the Universe"

Obviously it is not my goal to discuss thermodynamics in this forum, but whether or not you think it appropriate to make those kind of remarks in a purely scientifical book, given some of the things ive read posted in the creationism vs evolution thread.

Guzmán
11-17-2006, 12:11 PM
Taking in to account the nature of this forum i feel bound to point to some literary allusions of the concept of entropy:
"The final question" By Isaac Asimov, a very ingenious sci fi story which turns out to have a lot to do with this topic, and "Entropy" by Thomas Pynchon which is much more toungue in cheek and relates the second law and bits of (no pun intended) the information theory to american society in the late 50's and personal relationships.

Virgil
11-17-2006, 12:43 PM
Guzman

I talked about the 2nd law of thermo and God in the Creation and Evolution thread here: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3868&page=69, specifically post #1031. But you should probably go a page or two back for the full discussion. If you want to discuss it again you can put your comments in this thread.