  A general quantum theory encompassing Mechanics, Thermodynamics and
irreversible dynamics is presented in two parts. The first part is concerned
exclusively with the description of the states of any individual physical
system. It is based on a new nonlinear quantum equation of motion, which
reduces to the Schroedinger equation of motion of motion of conventional
quantum dynamics only under special conditions. It accounts for the
implications of the laws of Thermodynamics as well as for irreversible
phenomena, such as the natural tendency of an isolated system to transit from
any non-equilibrium state to an equilibrium state of higher entropy.
Conversely, the laws of Thermodynamics and irreversibility emerge as
manifestations of the fundamental quantum dynamical behaviour of the elementary
constituents of any material system. We call this part Quantum Thermodynamics.
The second part of the theory, which contains the first as a special case, is
concerned with the description of stochastic distributions of states in an
ensemble of identical physical systems each of which individually obeys the
laws of Quantum Thermodynamics. It is based on a new measure-theoretic
description of ensembles. It accounts unambiguously for the essential
distinction between two types of uncertainties that are generally present in an
ensemble, namely, quantal uncertainties due to the inherent quantal nature of
the states of each individual member system and nonquantal uncertainties due to
the stochastic distribution of states. We call this part Quantum Statistical
Thermodynamics.
