Entropic Philosophy: Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation

(Hardback)

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Now is a time of tremendous anxiety about the present and future state of the world. The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy never decreases, that time marches relentlessly forward, and that systems and energy inevitably break down. Entropy thus serves as a powerful metaphor capturing expressions of growing malaise, chaotic breakdown, and death.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, Entropic Philosophy: Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation, traces the development of entropic themes in philosophy, anthropology, psychoanalysis, literature, and art. It also provides tools for rethinking how to confront the urgency of the now. Entropic thinking gives voice to novel phenomena born of collapse and dissolution. Originally describing the loss of energy available for work, entropy blossoms into an umbrella concept capturing phenomena ranging from chaos, disorder, homogenization, slackening, dissipation, and ultimately, death. However, entropy comes from the Greek, entropia, meaning a turning toward or transformation. Thus, what from one perspective induces anxiety, fear, or resignation, from another opens new ways of thinking and being that are crucial in preventing existential inertia and despair.

Reviews

"Mussett's work is a striking display of erudition that provides a novel re-introduc-tion to and re-reading of the history of Western thought. It offers a profound and creative new approach to the exigency of our ethical responsibilities to one another and our world, inviting us to think how we might craft a new and more reverent way of being in the future. Profoundly important contribution to contemporary philosophy." --Continental Philosophy Review

"This beautiful book might be called Tristes Entropiques. Shannon Mussett explains how the conception of the law of entropy has disturbed our understanding of human endeavor. Instead of concluding that all is vanity, she finds bases for grace in Homer, Nietzsche, and Smithson." --Andrew Cutrofello, Loyola University, Chicago

Mussett's work is a striking display of erudition that provides a novel re-introduction to and re-reading of the history of Western thought. It offers a profound and creative new approach to the exigency of our ethical responsibilities to one another and our world, inviting us to think how we might craft a new and more reverent way of being in the future. Profoundly important contribution to contemporary philosophy.

This beautiful book might be called Tristes Entropiques. Shannon Mussett explains how the conception of the law of entropy has disturbed our understanding of human endeavor. Instead of concluding that all is vanity, she finds bases for grace in Homer, Nietzsche, and Smithson.

Author Bio

Shannon Mussett is Professor of Philosophy at Utah Valley University