Thermodynamics and the Evolution of Stochastic Populations

TL;DR

This paper develops a probabilistic thermodynamics framework applicable to stochastic populations, aiming to establish a rigorous, universal formalism beyond traditional molecular systems.

Contribution

It introduces a formal probabilistic theory of thermodynamics designed for generic stochastic populations, moving beyond heuristic approaches.

Findings

Proposes a formalism for probabilistic thermodynamics.

Lays groundwork for applying thermodynamics to stochastic populations.

Aims to generalize thermodynamics beyond molecular systems.

Abstract

The appeal of thermodynamics to problems outside physics is undeniable, as is the growing recognition of its apparent universality, yet in the absence of a rigorous formalism divorced from the peculiarities of molecular systems all attempts to generalize thermodynamics remain qualitative and heuristic at best. In this paper we formulate a probabilistic theory of thermodynamics and and set the basis for its application to generic stochastic populations.