A Law for Irreversible Thermodynamics? Synergy Increases Free Energy by Decreasing Entropy

Synergy is defined as an interaction giving rise to a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. Here I explore empirically some thermodynamic properties of phenomena that are intuitively recognized as synergetic in a wide range of disciplines, searching for common features. In all cases studied, a decrease in entropy (S) was coupled to an increase in free energy (G). This is congruent with the assumption of the first and second law of thermodynamics that the total energy in a closed system is constant and is the sum of G and S. As no law of thermodynamics was deduced by theory but originated by pure empirical data, I propose a law for open synergistic systems that states that increases in G are coupled to decreases in S, allowing to thermodynamically recognize synergy. Open systems where S decreases without increases in G are not synergetic. This insight can be applied in a wide range of disciplines in natural and social sciences.