Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems (Dec 2005)
Energy in Physics and in Economy
Abstract
In this paper the energy concept used in economic activity is investigated. It is not a “useful” part of physical energy, but an economically defined quantity. To reach this conclusion we first give a summary of the classification of the different concepts – all bearing the name energy. There are at least six distinct concepts to be distinguished. Three of them are scientific concepts to be differentiated. The physical (conserved) energy belongs to the realm of the first law, the energy as the ability to perform (physical, chemical) work belongs to the second law, the economic (biological) capacity for actions belongs to the (Darwinian Law).
