In this blog post, we revisit the limits of civilization hidden behind progress through ‘Entropy: A New World View’.
In Jeremy Rifkin’s book, entropy is defined as “the amount of change in a thermodynamic system when an object absorbs heat and undergoes a change.” Theories like Newton’s framework or Einstein’s theory of relativity are accepted as truth because no phenomena contradicting them have been discovered to date. However, there exists something called a law that transcends theory, and this is the law of thermodynamics.
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that the total amount of matter and energy in the universe remains constant, while the Second Law states that matter and energy change in only one direction. The law of entropy, which the author asserts as the foundational principle of the worldview presented in this book and which also serves as the book’s title, refers to the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
To elaborate on the Second Law in more detail: Energy and matter always change from usable forms to unusable forms, and from ordered states to disordered states. For example, spilled milk is difficult to collect again, and after burning wood to obtain heat and light, the remaining ashes cannot be burned again. This absolute law, which seems obvious, is precisely the law of entropy. This law reminds us of the harsh reality that energy always moves toward depletion and warns of the limits of material civilization.
Jeremy Rifkin warns that this absolute law means modern machine civilization inevitably leads to energy waste. He argues that the worldview dominated by Newtonian theory is incomplete, and that human society is not gradually progressing but moving toward its end. This claim directly conflicts with modern society’s optimistic theory of progress. While the prevailing view is that technological advancement enriches humanity, Jeremy Rifkin opposes this, believing that a mechanistic worldview can instead lead to destructive outcomes.
Jeremy Rifkin cites various historical examples, reminding us that all attempts by humanity throughout history to defy natural laws, rather than conform to them, ultimately ended in failure. For instance, during the Industrial Revolution, the large-scale use of fossil fuels was believed to have led humanity to prosperity, yet it inflicted immense damage on the Earth’s environment. The depletion of energy resources and global warming are prime examples of these consequences.
He also argues that hunter-gatherer societies, like the Bushmen, led better lives than modern humans, criticizing the excessive dependence of modern life on machines and material goods. In Jeremy Rifkin’s view, traditional lifestyles were ideal because they existed in a state more harmonious with nature than our modern material-centric society. This emphasizes that spiritual fulfillment and social harmony are crucial elements, not merely material abundance. Criticizing the dehumanizing characteristics of modern civilization, he strongly argues that humanity must embrace new values.
However, Jeremy Rifkin’s arguments also have limitations. While he assesses machine civilization as wasteful, he does not sufficiently acknowledge the positive impacts it has brought to humanity. For instance, advances in medical technology and the development of information and communication have qualitatively improved human life, allowing many to enjoy longer lifespans. Furthermore, increased productivity through technological progress has enabled more people to meet their basic needs, which also contributes to human spiritual satisfaction.
In this context, Jeremy Rifkin’s argument can be criticized as somewhat one-sided, overlooking the positive aspects of the machine civilization and the resulting spiritual development of humanity. While his book clearly raises important issues, a more balanced perspective seems necessary. As part of nature, humans must live according to its laws, yet simultaneously, they can seek new ways to coexist with nature through technological progress.
Finally, the law of entropy mentioned by Jeremy Rifkin can be interpreted not merely as a warning heralding the end of human civilization, but as a challenge toward sustainable development. He could have argued that humanity should move toward developing and using renewable energy sources, rather than depleting energy. Indeed, alternative energy sources like solar and wind power resist the law of entropy, presenting a new energy paradigm.
Therefore, the law of entropy presented by Jeremy Rifkin can be embraced as an important lesson reminding us that we must rethink our way of life dependent on existing energy resources for a better future.
