Reflections on the Nature of the Evolution of Organisms and Environmental Systems in Conjunction with the Existence of the Universe and Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes

Abstract

This paper explores the deep interconnections between ecology, thermodynamics, cosmology, and the nature of life, arguing that energy, not matter, is the fundamental unifying principle underlying all natural and cosmic phenomena. Challenging mechanistic and reductionist paradigms, the authors integrate concepts from irreversible thermodynamics, open systems theory, and the anthropic principle to explain how life maintains order despite the universal tendency toward entropy. The discussion spans biological organization, the subjective perception of time (biological vs. thermodynamic vs. astronomical), and the cosmological conditions, such as the number of spatial dimensions and the role of dark energy, that permit complex life to exist. The paper posits that ecological and evolutionary processes are manifestations of universal thermodynamic regularities. It further contemplates the holographic nature of  reality, memetic evolution, and humanity’s unique capacity for foresight and cultural development, all within the expanding framework of the Universe. Thus, the work presents a holistic, transdisciplinary vision in which life, consciousness, and cosmic structure emerge from the dynamic interplay of energy, space, and time.