Production: A Mathematical Theory

Abstract

Because of the fundamental link between thermodynamics and life, many attempts have been made to develop analytical theories based on the principle of thermodynamics and apply them to living systems and human society. Two of the influential theories are Lorenz’ chaos theory and Prigogine’s far from equilibrium thermodynamic theory. Lorenz, a meteorologist, simplified weather equations, which are thermodynamic equations, into ordinary differential equations. He found chaos properties from these equations. Prigogine developed the theory from some chemical reactions. Ping Chen has written extensively to apply Prigogine’s theory to social sciences, offering great insights into many social problems (Chen 2010). The theories of Lorenz and Prigogine greatly influenced the thinking in biology and social sciences. However, these theories, as well as other related mathematical theories, do not model life process or social activities directly.