Elliott H. Lieb · Physics Today 2000 · Theoretical essay / commentary · n=?

A Fresh Look at Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Cited 139 times in the scientific literature.

Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data

Theoretical essay and historical commentary (graded by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)

OpenAlex W2128261248 · doi:10.1063/1.883034 · record verified 2026-08-31

What was done

This paper provides a conceptual commentary on entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, discussing its historical standing in physics alongside its philosophical and theological interpretations.

What was found

The abstract reports no numerical data, experiments, or quantitative results. It describes historical viewpoints, noting that the second law was historically regarded as an unassailable law of physics that was invoked both in theological arguments for the existence of God and disputed within dialectical materialism.

Why it matters

It highlights the broader conceptual and philosophical implications historically associated with foundational thermodynamic principles.

Limits

The abstract describes a narrative essay and contains no empirical dataset, formal mathematical proof, experimental verification, or systematic review methodology.

Cited by