Joule's 19th Century Energy Conservation Meta-Law and the 20th Century Physics (Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity): 21st Century Analysis

Authors

Vladik Kreinovich, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow
Olga Kosheleva, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Publication Date

12-2019

Comments

Technical Report: UTEP-CS-19-113

Abstract

Joule's Energy Conservation Law was the first "meta-law": a general principle that all physical equations must satisfy. It has led to many important and useful physical discoveries. However, a recent analysis seems to indicate that this meta-law is inconsistent with other principles -- such as the existence of free will. We show that this conclusion about inconsistency is based on a seemingly reasonable -- but simplified -- analysis of the situation. We also show that a more detailed mathematical and physical analysis of the situation reveals that not only Joule's principle remains true -- it is actually strengthened: it is no longer a principle that all physical theories should satisfy -- it is a principle that all physical theories do satisfy.