From reversible thermodynamics to life (Q2484695)

A First Principle for the modelling of the dynamics of living systems has been proposed. It is based upon the introduction of an information potential that couples the Newtonian dynamics and the corresponding Liouville equation in the same way in which the quantum potential couples the Madelung equations in quantum mechanics. Bio-chemical processes are not taken into account. Mathematical, physical and biological interpretations of the information potential are discussed. From the biological viewpoint, the model introduces particles that in addition to Newtonian properties possess the ability to process information. The probability of such particles can be associated with the self-imaging known in psychology. The psychological self-awareness is described by the particles' ability to convert variations of the probability density into an information force. Thus, the equation of motion of the particles may be identified with the motor dynamics (e.g.\ the observation action) -- the evolution of the probability density with the mental dynamics of the living system. Further, it is demonstrated that the information potential can generate negative diffusion that reverses the evolution towards the decrease of entropy. This is equivalent to an increase of the systems complexity, which is also possible without interaction with the external world. Chains of mental reflections are discussed (what do you think I think you think \dots ?) to show that the proposed model is capable to capture complexity that matches the complexity of life. It is pointed out that any time perception which is different from the physical time (e.g.\ caused by complexity or novelty of an observed event) leads to different motions of the living system in actual physical space due to coupling of motor and mental dynamics through the information potential. The here developed model seems to be applicable to describe some properties of recently developed mirror neurons (which may be activated by observing action of other particles being not in direct contact with them).