Information, Entropy, and Progress

A New Evolutionary Paradigm

By: Robert U. Ayres

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Hardcover | 8 May 1997

At a Glance

Hardcover
324 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
24.77 x 16.51 x 2.54

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This text presents a challenging look at evolution on several scales, from the earth and its geology and chemistry, to living organisms, to social and economic systems, the manufacturing process, and the labour structure. Applying the principles of thermodynamics and the concepts of information gathering and self-organization, the author characterizes the direction of evolution in each case as an accumulation of "distinguishability" information - a type of universal knowledge. The book concludes with some speculations on the development of socio-economic systems and technological progress. Readers in many branches of science and economics, especially thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, cybernetics, information theory, resource use, and evolutionary economic behaviour and organization should find this book interesting.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Reference, Information & Interdisciplinary Subjects Research & Information Information theory Science Biology, Life Sciences Life Sciences in General Evolution Earth Sciences, Geography, Environment, Planning Earth Sciences Society & Culture Social Groups

Economics Political Economy Physics Computing & I.T.Computer Science

Foreword
Preface
Introduction: Evolution as Accumulation of Useful Information
Concepts, Definitions, and Analogies	p. 1
Information and Thermodynamics	p. 27
Physical Evolution: From the Universe to the Earth	p. 51
Geological and Biochemical Evolution	p. 73
Biological Evolution	p. 101
Evolution in Human Social Systems	p. 124
Evolution in Economic Systems	p. 151
The Economy as a Self-Organizing Information-Processing System	p. 186
Information Added by Materials Processing	p. 215
Morphological Information	p. 225
Labor as an Information Process	p. 249
Evolution, Economics, and Environmental Imperatives	p. 273
Afterword	p. 293
Index	p. 296
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Information, Entropy, and Progress

A New Evolutionary Paradigm

At a Glance

Hardcover

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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