Time, Chance, and Reduction

Philosophical Aspects of Statistical Mechanics

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, General Physics, Other Sciences, History
Cover of the book Time, Chance, and Reduction by , Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780511848155
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: January 21, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780511848155
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: January 21, 2010
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Becoming Brazilians by
Cover of the book Terrorism and the Ethics of War by
Cover of the book Uniform Central Limit Theorems by
Cover of the book Mathematical Aspects of Quantum Field Theory by
Cover of the book The Borders of Race in Colonial South Africa by
Cover of the book The New Cambridge History of the Bible: Volume 1, From the Beginnings to 600 by
Cover of the book Working Childhoods by
Cover of the book Mining and Energy Law by
Cover of the book Deep Homology? by
Cover of the book Climate System Dynamics and Modelling by
Cover of the book Statistics for Anthropology by
Cover of the book The Cambridge Companion to George Orwell by
Cover of the book The Hills of Rome by
Cover of the book Sustainable Communities on a Sustainable Planet by
Cover of the book The Israel-Palestine Conflict by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy