Asymmetry

What is asymmetry?

Asymmetry is both the absence of symmetry, and a fundamental basis for symmetry. Symmetry analysis may result in the identification of a fundamental region that is the smallest element required to explain the repetition that forms a pattern. The fundamental region is asymmetrical.

While symmetry is a characteristic of geometrical shapes, equations, and other objects; as well as things that are in nature (left/right brain, sun, crystals, ... ), assymetry is fundamental feature of natural processes. Assymetry of time, thermodynamical processes, vertical assymetry of bodies, cosmic assymetry breakings, molecular assymetry, etc.

Only products originating under the influence of life are asymmetrical, because the cosmic [i.e. generative, life] forces that preside over their formation are themselves asymmetrical. Asymmetry differentiates the organic world and the mineral world. (Louis Pasteur)

Examples of assymetry in nature

Clausius' Second Law: There is no thermodynamic process whose sole effect is to extract a quantity of heat from a colder reservoir and deliver it to a hotter reservoir.

Pasteur's molecular asymmetry: the lack of some elements of symmetry is necessary to have left- and right-handed molecules.

Asymmetric cell divisions.[Yuh-Nung and Lily Yeh, 1999]

Charge-symmetry breaking in physics, the mechanism responsible for protons and neutrons having different masses.

Distribution of income in economics.