Time's arrow and life's origin

Abstract

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.