Why does thermodynamics not preclude the evolution of life on earth?

Answer 1

A common creationist misconception is that the Second Law of Thermodynamics prohibits things getting more complex. The law is usually misrepresented as demanding that "everything runs down." But if this were true, not just evolution would be impossible, but also the growth of an adult human from a fertilized egg cell.

The simplest counter to the creationist argument that "thermodynamics precludes evolution" is to observe that the second law does *not* prohibit a temporary, localized reversal of entropy. In the case of life on Earth, the laws of gravity and chemistry, combined with the energy provided by the sun, provide the engine that drives a localized, temporary (on cosmic scales) reversal of entropy.

Answer 2

Thermodynamics focuses on energy transfer and transformation. Life on Earth does not violate thermodynamic principles because it is an open system that takes in energy from the sun and dissipates heat to the environment, allowing for the increase in complexity and organization required for evolution. The Earth itself acts as a heat sink, helping maintain the energy balance necessary for life to exist and evolve.