In the Systems Sciences group, Morten Vind-Visby asks:

I am trying to get at better understanding of the concept of living systems not following the laws of entropy according to second law of thermodynamics.

Hammond (2020) mentions: “As Bertalanffy pointed out, among many others,the phenomena of life tend towards increasing complexity and order, in clear violation of the second law” – of thermodynamic (red)

This is also well described by Capra in systems view of life (2018). I understand it as the Self-organising abilities of living systems and thereby emergent properties are some of the reasons why living systems defy entropy.

As I understand it – this is the mechanisms that keeps us alive. But as we grow older and our organism lose it ability to reproduce itself and we die! Is that not entropy of that said system?

If possible please include reference. It would be of great help

Reference: Hammond, Debora. “The Legacy of Ludwig von Bertalanffy and Its Relevance for Our Time.” Systems Research and Behavioral Science, vol. 36, no. 3, 29 Apr. 2019, pp. 301–307, 10.1002/sres.2598. Accessed 23 Mar. 2020.

Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi (2018). The systems view of life : a unifying vision. New York: Cambridge University Press.

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