DissipativeSystem

Context : ThermoDynamics

In thermodynamically ClosedSystems nothing much happens except by consuming the current stocks of order, and by disorder (entropy) increasing.

Systems which seem to be increasing in order (such as the BioSphere on Earth, via the evolution of complex life-forms) are actually thermodynamically "open" systems (they get energy from elsewhere), They are driven by a flow of energy from a large stock elsewhere (in our case, the sun).

Such systems are also called "dissipative", they dissipate order.

A complex structure (such as an organism or other system) which maintains a local ordered internal / local environment is also called a DissipativeStructure. (Term I think due to IlyaPrigogine)

See also :

• AutoPoieticSystems