2018/01/03 by Lucas Johns, Johns, Lucas
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Biological Physics (physics.bio-ph) #Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO) #Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution #FOS: Physical sciences #Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life #astro-ph.CO #physics.bio-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1801.01783
11 pages, 2 figures
openalex publication_date 2018/01/03 · arxiv created 2018/12/18 · arxiv updated 2018/12/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The thermodynamic arrow-of-time problem is thought to be resolved by the observation that our universe initially was---and still is---far from equilibrium. The psychological arrow-of-time problem is often attributed the same resolution, but the connection has not been thoroughly established. I argue that a compelling explanation of the psychological arrow requires an understanding of the physical conditions necessary for life to emerge from a prebiotic environment. A simple calculation illustrates how life-sustaining energy fluxes from the Sun and the Earth's interior bias the development of life in the direction of the arrow inherited from cosmic initial conditions.