irreversibility of evolution

Dollo's law of irreversibility — (also known as Dollo s law and Dollo s principle) is a hypothesis proposed in 1893[1] by French born Belgian paleontologist Louis Dollo which states that evolution is not reversible. This hypothesis was first stated by Dollo in this way: An… …   Wikipedia

Entropy (arrow of time) — Entropy is the only quantity in the physical sciences that picks a particular direction for time, sometimes called an arrow of time. As one goes forward in time, the second law of thermodynamics says that the entropy of an isolated system can… …   Wikipedia

nature, philosophy of — Introduction       the discipline that investigates substantive issues regarding the actual features of nature as a reality. The discussion here is divided into two parts: the philosophy of physics and the philosophy of biology.       In this… …   Universalium

Thermodynamics — Annotated color version of the original 1824 Carnot heat engine showing the hot body (boiler), working body (system, steam), and cold body (water), the letters labeled according to the stopping points in Carnot cycle …   Wikipedia

Entropy — This article is about entropy in thermodynamics. For entropy in information theory, see Entropy (information theory). For a comparison of entropy in information theory with entropy in thermodynamics, see Entropy in thermodynamics and information… …   Wikipedia

Second law of thermodynamics — The second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the universal law of increasing entropy, stating that the entropy of an isolated system which is not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at… …   Wikipedia

Precautionary principle — The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not… …   Wikipedia

Ilya Prigogine — Born 25 January 1917(1917 01 25) Moscow, Russia …   Wikipedia

Dollo's law — or Dollo s Principle is a hypothesis proposed by French born Belgian paleontologist Louis Dollo (1857 1931) in 1890 that states that evolution is not reversible. This law was first stated by Dollo in this way: An organism is unable to return,… …   Wikipedia

Irreducible complexity — This article covers irreducible complexity as used by those who argue for intelligent design. For information on irreducible complexity as used in Systems Theory, see Irreducible complexity (Emergence). Irreducible complexity (IC) is an argument… …   Wikipedia

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin — Born May 1, 1881(1881 05 01) Orcines, France …   Wikipedia