在本文中,我们从地球系统的角度探讨了系统理论和热力学的相关性和集成。建议一起,这些领域解释了进化,组织,地球上生命的功能和方向性。我们首先总结历史和当前对生活本身定义的思考。然后,我们调查一个生命单位的证据。鉴于生命的任何定义及其组织层次都是交织在一起的,我们从能量的角度探索地球系统的结构和功能,通过概述与分子有关的相关热力学理论,新陈代谢,细胞,个人,人口,物种,生态系统和生物群落组织。接下来,我们从地球系统的角度研究系统理论和热力学之间的基本关系,检查自组装的关键特征,自组织(包括自主性),出现,非线性,反馈和次优性。最后,我们从两个具体方面考察了系统理论和热力学的相关性:进化的节奏和方向性以及生态演替的方向性和可预测过程。我们讨论了熵驱动在理解利他主义中的重要性,多细胞,互惠和对抗关系,以及最大熵产生理论如何解释被认为是证明中间干扰假说的模式。
In this paper we explore the relevance and integration of system theory and thermodynamics in terms of the Earth system. It is proposed that together, these fields explain the evolution, organization, functionality and directionality of life on Earth. We begin by summarizing historical and current thinking on the definition of life itself. We then investigate the evidence for a single unit of life. Given that any definition of life and its levels of organization are intertwined, we explore how the Earth system is structured and functions from an energetic perspective, by outlining relevant thermodynamic theory relating to molecular, metabolic, cellular, individual, population, species, ecosystem and biome organization. We next investigate the fundamental relationships between systems theory and thermodynamics in terms of the Earth system, examining the key characteristics of self-assembly, self-organization (including autonomy), emergence, non-linearity, feedback and sub-optimality. Finally, we examine the relevance of systems theory and thermodynamics with reference to two specific aspects: the tempo and directionality of evolution and the directional and predictable process of ecological succession. We discuss the importance of the entropic drive in understanding altruism, multicellularity, mutualistic and antagonistic relationships and how maximum entropy production theory may explain patterns thought to evidence the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.