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He also proposed a [[thought experiment]] that became known as [[Maxwell's demon]] which was designed as a challenge to the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]].

He also proposed a [[thought experiment]] that became known as [[Maxwell's demon]] which was designed as a challenge to the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]].

Lorentz and [[Henri Poincaré|Poincaré]] relied heavily upon Maxwell's ideas, which were in turn mathematized forms of [[Michael Faraday]]'s work, to create the theories of [[relativity]].  It has been suggested that relativity is Faraday and Maxwell's field theory applied to the stars,<ref> "Influence on the Development of the Conception of Physical Reality" by Albert Einstein, written for the centenary of Maxwell's birth (1931)</ref> but relativity includes assumptions and claims that Maxwell may not have supported.

Lorentz and [[Henri Poincaré|Poincaré]] relied heavily upon Maxwell's ideas, which were in turn mathematized forms of [[Michael Faraday]]'s work, to create the theories of [[relativity]].  It has been suggested that relativity is Faraday and Maxwell's field theory applied to the stars,<ref>"Influence on the Development of the Conception of Physical Reality" by Albert Einstein, written for the centenary of Maxwell's birth (1931)</ref> but relativity includes assumptions and claims that Maxwell may not have supported.

==Quotations==

==Quotations==

|location=Oxford, England

|location=Oxford, England

|year=2009

|year=2009

|pages=67-69, 186, 204

|pages=67–69, 186, 204

|url=

|url=

|isbn=978-0-7459-5371-7

|isbn=978-0-7459-5371-7

Maxwell wrote:

Maxwell wrote:

:No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules, for evolution necessarily implies [[continuous change]], and the molecule is incapable of growth or decay, of generation or destruction. None of the processes of Nature, since the time when Nature began, have produced the slightest difference in the properties of any molecule. We are therefore unable to ascribe either the existence of the molecules or the identity of their properties to any of the causes which we call natural. <ref>http://www.sonnetusa.com/bio/maxbio.pdf</ref>

:No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules, for evolution necessarily implies [[continuous change]], and the molecule is incapable of growth or decay, of generation or destruction. None of the processes of Nature, since the time when Nature began, have produced the slightest difference in the properties of any molecule. We are therefore unable to ascribe either the existence of the molecules or the identity of their properties to any of the causes which we call natural.<ref>http://www.sonnetusa.com/bio/maxbio.pdf</ref>

:Natural causes, as we know, are at work, which tend to modify, if they do not at length destroy, all the arrangements and dimensions of the earth and the whole solar system. But though in the course of ages catastrophes have occurred and may yet occur in the heavens, though ancient systems may be dissolved and new systems evolved out of their ruins, the molecules out of which these systems are built—the foundation-stones of the material universe—remain unbroken and unworn. They continue this day as they were created—perfect in number and measure and weight; and from the ineffaceable characters impressed on them we may learn that those aspirations after accuracy in measurement, and justice in action, which we reckon among our noblest attributes as men, are ours because they are [361] essential constituents of the image of Him who in the beginning created, not only the heaven and the earth, but the materials of which heaven and earth consist. [ibid]

:Natural causes, as we know, are at work, which tend to modify, if they do not at length destroy, all the arrangements and dimensions of the earth and the whole solar system. But though in the course of ages catastrophes have occurred and may yet occur in the heavens, though ancient systems may be dissolved and new systems evolved out of their ruins, the molecules out of which these systems are built—the foundation-stones of the material universe—remain unbroken and unworn. They continue this day as they were created—perfect in number and measure and weight; and from the ineffaceable characters impressed on them we may learn that those aspirations after accuracy in measurement, and justice in action, which we reckon among our noblest attributes as men, are ours because they are [361] essential constituents of the image of Him who in the beginning created, not only the heaven and the earth, but the materials of which heaven and earth consist. [ibid]

He also wrote:

He also wrote:

:The true logic of this world is in the calculus of probabilities. <ref>http://www.gluegrant.org/cam.htm</ref>  

:The true logic of this world is in the calculus of probabilities.<ref>http://www.gluegrant.org/cam.htm</ref>  

and  

and  

:In the case of the molecules, however, each individual is permanent; there is no generation or destruction, and no variation, or rather no difference, between the individuals of each species.

:In the case of the molecules, however, each individual is permanent; there is no generation or destruction, and no variation, or rather no difference, between the individuals of each species.

:Hence the kind of speculation with which we have become so familiar under the name of theories of evolution is quite inapplicable to the case of molecules. <ref>James Clerk Maxwell, "The Theory of Heat", London, Longman's, Green, and Co., 1871. http://www.archive.org/stream/theoryofheat00maxwrich/</ref>

:Hence the kind of speculation with which we have become so familiar under the name of theories of evolution is quite inapplicable to the case of molecules.<ref>James Clerk Maxwell, "The Theory of Heat", London, Longman's, Green, and Co., 1871. http://www.archive.org/stream/theoryofheat00maxwrich/</ref>

It should also be noted that Maxwell wrote these words before atomic theory was widely accepted.  Maxwell of course knew nothing of the chemical composition of molecules like proteins and DNA, nor did he know about sub-atomic or nuclear processes, all of which contradict his claims that "there is no generation or destruction, and no variation ..." among molecules and atoms.

It should also be noted that Maxwell wrote these words before atomic theory was widely accepted.  Maxwell of course knew nothing of the chemical composition of molecules like proteins and DNA, nor did he know about sub-atomic or nuclear processes, all of which contradict his claims that "there is no generation or destruction, and no variation ..." among molecules and atoms.

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/jc_maxwell.asp A biography of Maxwell from Answers in Genesis]

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/jc_maxwell.asp A biography of Maxwell from Answers in Genesis]

== See Also ==

== See also ==

[[Maxwell’s intelligent agent]]

[[Maxwell’s intelligent agent]]