Time's Arrow: 2nd Law applies (General)

by dhw, Monday, October 03, 2016, 12:37 (2972 days ago) @ David Turell

dhw: I've just read your new entry on this subject, saying that Carroll is wrong, and scientifically making some of the points I have tried to make myself. But since you were defending Carroll, I'd still appreciate your own answers to my questions.

DAVID: My point was that Carroll is using the concept of entropy correctly. I found this contradictory article which says entropy should not be used to define time. Time cannot be defined by physics and its formulas which can go it either direction with time and be correct. The concept of open and closed systems is what is correct for the 2nd Law. It was established over 100 years ago re' steam engines. Carroll is Delete repeated word correct Delete repeated word the universe is running down Delete repeated word its own destruction. If you wish read both articles to see the differences.-Something went wrong at the end of your post, but the basis seems clear to me. Obviously entropy does not explain how order comes out of disorder, so entropy is not the whole story, and if cause and effect are used as criteria for time's arrow, one cannot say that time would not exist if the universe hadn't been in perfect order to start with.