Biological science Quote by Ronald Fisher
![“Professor Eddington has recently remarked that 'The law that entropy always increases - the second law of thermodynamics - holds, I think, the supreme position among the laws of nature'. It is not a little instructive that so similar a law [the fundamental theorem of natural selection] should hold…” quote by Ronald Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba5/ronald-fisher-14852_biological-science_professor-eddington-has-recently-remarke_3010389.jpg)
“Professor Eddington has recently remarked that 'The law that entropy always increases - the second law of thermodynamics - holds, I think, the supreme position among the laws of nature'. It is not a little instructive that so similar a law [the fundamental theorem of natural selection] should hold the supreme position among the biological sciences.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, 1930
The second law of thermodynamics is a fundamental, universal principle, analogous to natural selection's role in biology.
In simple terms: Entropy's law is supreme; so is natural selection.
Key Takeaway
Recognize universal principles across sciences.
Themes
science
universality
order
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- physics lectures
- biology courses
- interdisciplinary research
- policy making
Key Concepts
thermodynamics
natural selection
law hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a law 'supreme' in a field?
- How do physical laws inform biological understanding?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems may not fit simple analogies.
![“Every heat engineer knows he can design his heat engine reliably and accurately on the foundation of the second law [of thermodynamics]. Run alongside one of the molecules, however, and ask it what it thinks of the second law. It will laugh at us. It never heard of the second law. It does what it…” quote by John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c57/john-archibald-wheeler-17976_accuracy_every-heat-engineer-knows-he-can-design_1326512.jpg)
![“Second Law of Thermodynamics. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states, “[A]lthough the total energy in the cosmos remains constant, the amount of energy available to do useful work is always getting smaller.” 70 The second law of thermodynamics assumes that the universe is a closed system because…” quote by Jeff Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/393/jeff-myers-66878_air-force_second-law-of-thermodynamics-the-second_1281818.jpg)
![“[Coining the phrase "test of significance"] Critical tests of this kind may be called tests of significance, and when such tests are available we may discover whether a second sample is or is not significantly different from the first.” quote by Ronald Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ddb/ronald-fisher-14852_available_coining-the-phrase-test-of-significance_46951.jpg)
