Time's arrow and evolution / by Harold F. Blum.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Blum, Harold F. (Harold Francis), 1899-1980, author.

Series:

Princeton legacy library.

Princeton Legacy Library

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evolution.

Thermodynamics.

Cosmogony.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (251 p.)

Edition:

Third edition.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, 1968.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

In a book that has become a milestone of scientific writing Dr. Blum uses "time's arrow," the second law of thermodynamics, as a key concept to show how the nature and evolution of the nonliving world place limits on the nature and evolution of life. He seeks to show that, from the beginning of the universe, physical and chemical laws have inexorably channeled the course of evolution so that possibilities were already limited when life first emerged.Originally published in 1951.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Contents:

Frontmatter

PREFACE

CONTENTS

I. PERSPECTIVES

II. THE CHRONOLOGY OF EVOLUTION

III. THE ENERGETICS AND KINETICS OF CHEMICAL REACTION

IV. THE ORIGIN AND EARLY EVOLUTION OF THE EARTH

V. LATER HISTORY OF THE EARTH

VI. THE FITNESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

VII. THE ENERGETICS AND KINETICS OF LIVING SYSTEMS

VIII. STRUCTURE AND ITS REPRODUCTION

IX. STABILITY AND VARIABILITY

X. THE ORIGIN OF LIFE

XI. IRREVERSIBILITY AND DIRECTION IN EVOLUTION

XII. SOME IMPLICATIONS

XIII. ORDER, NEGENTROPY, AND EVOLUTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-691-64908-1

0-691-08061-5

1-4008-7473-4

OCLC:

967588046