Author: Cramer, Friedrich

Source: Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, Volume 20, Number 1, March 1995 , pp. 61-65(5)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

The development of such concepts as statistical thermodynamics, fractals, and dynamic chaos theory has led to re-emergence of the Aristotelian idea of time as being, as an irreversible, arrowlike process, in contrast to the reversible, absolute time of Newtonian physics. A twofold structure of time encompassing both these strands is proposed. This can be thought of as comprising periods where classical physics applies, governed by cyclical, reversible time, interspersed by bifurcations where the 'time line' may take one of two or more possible paths, eventually generating a 'tree of times'. The 'choice' of path is non-deterministic and the period encompassing the bifurcation is governed by the progressive, irreversible mode of time. This proposal has obvious parallels with biological evolution, the big bang model of the universe, and the author's speciality of molecular biology.

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/030801895789766030

Affiliations: Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany

Publication date: 1995-03-01

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