Moving “Far from Equilibrium” in a Prebiotic Environment: The Role of Maxwell’s Demon in Life Origin

Abstract

Can we falsify the following null hypothesis? " A kinetic energy potential cannot be generated by Maxwell's Demon from an ideal gas equilibrium without purposeful choices of when to open and close the partition's trap door. " If we can falsify this null hypothesis with an observable naturalistic mechanism, we have moved a long way towards modeling the spontaneous molecular evolution of life. Falsification is essential to discount teleology. But life requires a particular version of " far from equilibrium " that explains formal organization, not just physicodynamic self-ordering as seen in Prigogine's dissipative structures. Life is controlled and regulated, not just constrained. Life follows arbitrary rules of behavior, not just invariant physical laws. To explain life's origin and regulation naturalistically, we must first explain the more fundamental question, " How can hotter, faster moving, ideal gas molecules be dichotomized from cooler, slower moving, ideal gas molecules without the Demon's choice contingency operating the trap door? " 1. How could usable energy arise out of equilibrium?