The 2nd law, and the trend to disorder, is universal
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Claim
The entire universe is a closed system, so the second law of thermodynamics dictates that within it, things are tending to break down. The second law applies universally.
Source
Responses
- The second law of thermodynamics is a statement regarding the ways in which is it possible for entropy to change. As such, the 2LoT does not actually forbid decreases in entropy; rather, 2LoT can be used to determine the conditions under which entropy-decrease is or is not possible. In particular: 2LoT does allow for entropy to decrease in a specific area, provided that this entropy-decrease is accompanied by at least that much increase in entropy in some other area. If the Second Law of Thermodynamics actually did forbid entropy-decrease under all conceivable circumstances, 2LoT would be violated every time water freezes (because the entropy of water molecules is a great deal lower in ice than in liquid water).
- Biological reproduction and growth involves an entropy decrease and an increase in order, but clearly happens. So this proves that not all things tend to break down.
- The claim that the universe is a closed system is false, since closed systems need to have a constant volume and the universe is expanding.
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Fallacies contained in this claim
- Sweeping Generalization (just because most things within a system trend to disorder, doesn't mean all things within that system do)
- Equivocation ("entropy increase" does not equal "break down")
- Suppressed Evidence (universe is no closed system)
Related claims
- 2nd law of thermodynamics prohibits evolution
- Systems left to themselves invariably tend towards disorder
- Instructions are necessary to produce order
- The 2nd law is about organized complexity, not entropy
- Evolution needs an energy conversion mechanism to utilize energy
