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Time, Chance, and Reduction Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)

Time, Chance, and Reduction By Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)

Time, Chance, and Reduction by Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)


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Summary

Statistical mechanics is one of the fundamental theories of physics, raising important philosophical questions on the nature of time, chance and reduction. This book addresses the philosophical issues inherent in the reduction of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics, compiling current research by experts in the field to create an invaluable summary.

Time, Chance, and Reduction Summary

Time, Chance, and Reduction: Philosophical Aspects of Statistical Mechanics by Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)

Statistical mechanics attempts to explain the behaviour of macroscopic physical systems in terms of the mechanical properties of their constituents. Although it is one of the fundamental theories of physics, it has received little attention from philosophers of science. Nevertheless, it raises philosophical questions of fundamental importance on the nature of time, chance and reduction. Most philosophical issues in this domain relate to the question of the reduction of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics. This book addresses issues inherent in this reduction: the time-asymmetry of thermodynamics and its absence in statistical mechanics; the role and essential nature of chance and probability in this reduction when thermodynamics is non-probabilistic; and how, if at all, the reduction is possible. Compiling contributions on current research by experts in the field, this is an invaluable survey of the philosophy of statistical mechanics for academic researchers and graduate students interested in the foundations of physics.

About Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)

GERHARD ERNST is a Professor of History of Philosophy and Moral Philosophy at Universitat Stuttgart. His main research interests are in moral philosophy, epistemology and philosophy of science. ANDREAS HUETTEMANN is a Professor of Philosophy at Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat, Munster. His research interests include philosophy of science and early modern philosophy.

Table of Contents

List of contributors; 1. Introduction Gerhard Ernst and Andreas Hutteman; Part I. The Arrows of Time: 2. Does a low-entropy constraint prevent us from influencing the past? Mathias Frisch; 3. The part hypothesis meets gravity Craig Callender; 4. Quantum gravity and the arrow of time Claus Kiefer; Part II. Probability and Chance: 5. The natural-range conception of probability Jacob Rosenthal; 6. Probability in Boltzmannian statistical mechanics Roman Frigg; 7. Humean mechanics versus a metaphysics of powers Michael Esfeld; Part III. Reduction: 8. The crystallisation of Clausius's phenomenological thermodynamics C. Ulises Moulines; 9. Reduction and renormalization Robert W. Batterman; 10. Irreversibility in stochastic dynamics Jos Uffink; Index.

Additional information

NPB9780521884013
9780521884013
0521884012
Time, Chance, and Reduction: Philosophical Aspects of Statistical Mechanics by Gerhard Ernst (Dr, Universitat Stuttgart)
New
Hardback
Cambridge University Press
2010-01-21
218
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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