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Integral World: Exploring Theories of Everything
An independent forum for a critical discussion of the integral philosophy of Ken Wilber
Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion, SUNY 2003Frank Visser, graduated as a psychologist of culture and religion, founded IntegralWorld in 1997. He worked as production manager for various publishing houses and as service manager for various internet companies and lives in Amsterdam. Books: Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion (SUNY, 2003), and The Corona Conspiracy: Combatting Disinformation about the Coronavirus (Kindle, 2020).
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The Paradox of Entropy and Evolution

Ken Wilber's Misinterpretation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Frank Visser / ChatGPT

Me to ChatGPT:

  • Here's a quote from Ken Wilber: "The Second Law of Thermodynamics tells us that in the real world, disorder always increases. Yet simple observation tells us that, in the real world, life creates order everywhere: the universe is winding up, not down. The revolutionary new understanding found in 'chaos' and 'complexity' theories maintains that the physical universe actually has an inherent tendency to create order."[1] Please pinpoint the logical and empirical errors in this fragment.

Follow-up questions:

  • In this fragment from a popular lecture, Ken Wilber seems to reject the notion that the universe is "winding down", as the Second Law of Thermodynamics states, but rather claims that the universe is "winding up", because it generates ever more complexity.[2] Please explain in detail, in the form of an essay how this misunderstands the Second Law, and misses the paradox between entropy and evolution.


    "Integral in Action with Ken Wilber" (2015)
    "Evolution itself is driven by the creation of increasing, holistic, increasing wholes, increasing unities. And the whole notion of the universe as 'running down' is ridiculous. I mean, it is NOT! It started with the Big Bang with strings and quarks. Over tens of thousands of years quarks started to come together as sub-atomic particles. That's an increase in wholeness. And then thousands of years later sub-atomic particles started to come together as atoms. Another increase in wholeness. Thousands of years laters these atoms come together and form molecules. Another huge leap in wholeness! And then in a staggering leap, at some point, dozens of very large molecules, just hanging around together, and a cell wall dropped around them, and a living cell emerged. Unbelievable! And then those cells became multi-cellular organisms, they were very simple at first, got more complex, added neurocords, added reptilian brain stems, added paleo-mammalian limbic systems, added neocortex... Ehm, THAT is a universe winding UP. It is not a universe winding DOWN. It is not a universe becoming more and more dispersed and separated and isolated. It is a universe coming together in higher and higher wholes. Until we finally come to the human brain, which has more synaptic connections than there are stars in the universe."
  • How would you characterize the level of biological expertise in this fragment?
  • How would you characterize the rhetorical quality of this fragment?
  • Please comment specifically on this statement from Ken Wilber: "The whole notion that the universe is 'running down' is ridiculous."[3]
  • Do you consider Ken Wilber a reliable source when it comes to reporting on science?

Here's a quote from Ken Wilber: "The Second Law of Thermodynamics tells us that in the real world, disorder always increases. Yet simple observation tells us that, in the real world, life creates order everywhere: the universe is winding up, not down. The revolutionary new understanding found in 'chaos' and complexity' theories maintains that the physical universe actually has an inherent tendency to create order." Please pinpoint the logical and empirical errors in this fragment.

The fragment from Ken Wilber's quote contains a logical error and misrepresents the concepts of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, chaos theory, and complexity theory. Here are the specific errors present:

Logical Error

The fragment presents a false dichotomy by suggesting that the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which describes the tendency of systems to increase in entropy or disorder, contradicts the observation of life creating order. This is a logical fallacy known as a false dichotomy because it presents an either-or scenario when, in reality, the concepts are not mutually exclusive.

Misrepresentation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

The fragment inaccurately portrays the Second Law as stating that disorder always increases in the real world. While it is true that the Second Law describes the overall trend of increasing entropy in a closed system, it does not imply that order or complexity cannot arise in localized regions within that system. The law focuses on the overall tendency toward increasing entropy, not the absence of order or complexity.

Misrepresentation of Chaos Theory and Complexity Theory

The fragment suggests that chaos theory and complexity theory provide a revolutionary understanding that contradicts the Second Law and asserts that the universe has an inherent tendency to create order. While chaos theory and complexity theory indeed explore the emergence of order and patterns in complex systems, they do not negate or contradict the principles of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. These theories do not suggest that the universe as a whole is "winding up" or that disorder does not exist. Instead, they provide insights into the dynamics and behavior of complex systems.

Lack of Empirical Support

The fragment claims that "simple observation tells us that, in the real world, life creates order everywhere." However, this assertion lacks empirical support and oversimplifies the relationship between life and order. While living organisms can exhibit complex and organized structures, their existence and maintenance require a constant input of energy and a continual exchange with their environment to counteract the natural tendency toward increasing entropy.

In summary, the fragment contains a logical error by presenting a false dichotomy between the Second Law of Thermodynamics and the observation of life creating order. It misrepresents the Second Law and oversimplifies the concepts of chaos theory and complexity theory. Additionally, the assertion of life creating order everywhere lacks empirical support and overlooks the energy requirements and environmental interactions necessary to sustain order in living systems.

In this fragment from a popular lecture, Ken Wilber seems to reject the notion that the universe is "winding down", as the Second Law of Thermodynamics states, but rather claims that the universe is "winding up", because it generates ever more complexity.[2] Please explain in detail, in the form of an essay, how this misunderstands the Second Law, and misses the paradox between entropy and evolution.

Introduction:

In this lecture excerpt, Ken Wilber presents a perspective that seemingly challenges the notion that the universe is "running down" in accordance with the Second Law of Thermodynamics. He argues that the universe is actually "winding up" due to the increasing complexity and emergence of higher wholes. However, this interpretation misrepresents the Second Law and overlooks the inherent paradox between entropy and evolution. In this essay, we will explore the misinterpretation and shed light on the intricate relationship between entropy and the evolution of complexity.

I. The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in a closed system, the overall entropy, or disorder, of the system tends to increase over time. Entropy is a measure of the distribution of energy within a system, and it tends to increase as energy becomes more evenly dispersed and concentrated forms of energy are converted into less concentrated forms.

II. Evolution and the Increase of Complexity

While it is true that evolution has resulted in the emergence of increasingly complex organisms, it is crucial to understand that the increase in complexity is not in conflict with the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Evolution does not violate the law but operates within its constraints.

III. Misunderstanding the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Ken Wilber's argument that the universe is "winding up" due to the emergence of higher wholes misrepresents the Second Law. The law does not assert that there cannot be local increases in complexity or the formation of higher-level structures. Rather, it focuses on the overall trend of increasing entropy in a closed system.

IV. The Paradox between Entropy and Evolution

The paradox arises when we consider that evolution and the development of complex organisms require the input of energy and the maintenance of local order. Living organisms, including humans, are open systems that obtain energy from their surroundings and utilize it to sustain their complex structures and functions.

V. Entropy and the Emergence of Order

Contrary to Wilber's assertion, the formation of higher-level structures and the increase in complexity do not contradict the Second Law. Organisms and ecosystems maintain local order and complexity by utilizing external sources of energy to counteract the natural tendency towards entropy. The decrease in entropy within living systems is balanced by an increase in entropy in the surroundings or the universe as a whole.

VI. Evolution as a Process of Increasing Complexity

Evolution is indeed a process of increasing complexity and the emergence of higher-level structures. However, it is important to recognize that this complexity is sustained by an ongoing input of energy and the dissipation of energy as heat, contributing to the overall increase in entropy within the universe.

VII. Synaptic Connections and the Scale of Complexity

Wilber's claim that the human brain has more synaptic connections than there are stars in the universe highlights the remarkable complexity of the human brain. However, this statement does not undermine the principle of increasing entropy. The vast number of synaptic connections in the brain represents the result of a long evolutionary process driven by the input of energy and the principles of natural selection.

Conclusion:

The lecture excerpt from Ken Wilber misunderstands the Second Law of Thermodynamics and overlooks the inherent paradox between entropy and evolution. While the emergence of complexity and higher-level structures is a characteristic of evolution, it does not conflict with the Second Law. Evolution operates within the constraints of increasing entropy by utilizing external sources of energy to sustain local order and complexity. The recognition of this paradox deepens our understanding of the intricate relationship between entropy and the evolution of complexity, highlighting the ongoing interplay between order and disorder in the universe.

How would you characterize the level of biological expertise in this fragment?

The fragment demonstrates a general understanding of the process of evolution and the emergence of complexity in biological systems. However, it also includes some statements that may not align with scientific accuracy or are oversimplified. Here's a breakdown of the level of biological expertise displayed in the fragment:

Basic Understanding of Evolution

The fragment accurately recognizes that evolution involves the emergence of increasingly complex organisms over time. It acknowledges the progression from subatomic particles to atoms, molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms, highlighting the general concept of increasing complexity through evolutionary processes.

Oversimplification of Evolutionary Steps

The fragment presents a simplified timeline of evolutionary steps, suggesting that the emergence of higher-level structures occurred over a relatively short period. While the basic idea of increasing complexity is valid, the description of specific timeframes and the evolutionary sequence lacks precision and does not capture the full complexity of evolutionary history.

Limited Mention of Genetic Mechanisms

The fragment does not explicitly mention genetic mechanisms such as mutation, genetic variation, and natural selection, which play a crucial role in driving evolutionary processes. These mechanisms are fundamental to understanding how complexity arises through the accumulation and selection of beneficial genetic traits over generations.

Lack of Specificity and Technical Terminology

The fragment does not employ technical terminology commonly used in biological discussions, which may indicate a more general understanding of biological concepts rather than an in-depth expertise in the field. The language used is accessible and focused on conveying broad ideas rather than providing precise scientific details.

Inaccurate Comparison of Synaptic Connections and Stars

The statement that the human brain has more synaptic connections than there are stars in the universe is not supported by scientific evidence. While the human brain is undeniably complex, attempting to compare the number of synaptic connections to the number of stars in the universe oversimplifies both the brain's structure and the vastness of the cosmos.

Overall, the fragment demonstrates a basic understanding of evolutionary processes and the concept of increasing complexity in biological systems. However, it lacks the precision, depth, and technical terminology associated with a high level of biological expertise.

How would you characterize the rhetorical quality of this fragment?

The rhetorical quality of the fragment is marked by a passionate and enthusiastic tone. It utilizes vivid language and emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of the evolutionary process and the emergence of complexity. The speaker's excitement is evident as they describe the progression from subatomic particles to cells and eventually to the human brain, emphasizing the grandeur of the unfolding evolutionary journey.

The use of rhetorical devices, such as repetition ("increasing," "wholes," "universe winding up"), hyperbole ("unbelievable," "staggering leap"), and exclamation marks, adds emphasis and captures the attention of the audience. These techniques aim to evoke a sense of wonder and amazement, heightening the impact of the ideas being presented.

The fragment also employs a narrative structure, outlining a series of evolutionary steps to illustrate the progression of complexity. This storytelling approach helps to engage the audience and make the content more accessible.

However, it's important to note that the fragment may oversimplify certain aspects of evolutionary processes and make statements that are not entirely accurate from a scientific perspective. While the rhetorical quality is engaging, it is essential to critically evaluate the information presented and seek a more comprehensive understanding of the topics discussed.

Please comment specifically on this statement from Ken Wilber: "The whole notion that the universe is 'running down' is ridiculous."

The quote from Ken Wilber suggests that the idea of the universe "running down" is ridiculous. It is important to note that this statement represents Wilber's personal perspective rather than a scientific consensus.

In the context of the quote, Wilber likely intends to challenge the notion that the universe is inherently moving towards a state of ultimate decay or dissolution. He may be emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of the universe, highlighting processes such as complexity, emergence, and ongoing transformation.

However, it is essential to recognize that the claim that the universe is not "running down" goes against the prevailing scientific understanding rooted in the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This law describes the tendency of closed systems to move towards a state of increasing entropy or disorder over time. It is widely accepted within the scientific community and is supported by extensive empirical evidence.

While there are localized pockets of increased complexity and organization, such as the emergence of life and the formation of galaxies and stars, the overall trajectory of the universe, as described by the Second Law, is towards a state of greater entropy.

It is worth noting that the statement may also be interpreted metaphorically or philosophically, reflecting Wilber's broader worldview or spiritual perspective. Metaphorically, it may suggest a belief in the potential for growth, evolution, and transformation within the universe despite the overarching trend of increasing entropy.

Ultimately, the characterization of the notion that the universe is "running down" as ridiculous is a subjective assessment and is not aligned with the prevailing scientific understanding based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Do you consider Ken Wilber a reliable source when it comes to reporting on science?

Ken Wilber is primarily known for his work in integral philosophy and spirituality rather than as a scientist or science communicator. While he has made attempts to engage with scientific concepts and integrate them into his philosophical framework, his interpretations and presentations of scientific ideas are often seen as controversial and subject to criticism from experts in the respective fields.

It is important to note that Wilber's perspective on science may be influenced by his philosophical and spiritual worldview, which may lead to a bias or selective interpretation of scientific concepts. Additionally, his statements on scientific matters may lack the depth, rigor, and nuance expected from experts in those fields.

For accurate and reliable information on scientific topics, it is generally advisable to refer to sources that are authored by experts in the relevant scientific disciplines and have undergone rigorous peer review. While Wilber's work may offer insights and perspectives from a philosophical or spiritual standpoint, it is not typically considered a reliable source for reporting on scientific matters.[4]

NOTES

[1] Ken Wilber, A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science and Spirituality, 2000, p. x.

[2] From the video "Integral in Action with Ken Wilber", published by Alex Howard on Conscious 2 (now "Conscious Life"), October 10th, 2015, which unfortunately is longer available online.

See also: Frank Visser, Integral Overstretch, Some reflections on "Integral in Action with Ken Wilber", www.integralworld.net

[3] See [2]

[4] See also: Frank Visser, Ken Wilber's Problematic Relationship to Science, Integral Review, vol. 16, nr. 2, August 2020.




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