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  3. Time, Chance, and Reduction
  • Cited by 7
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      04 August 2010
      21 January 2010
      ISBN:
      9780511770777
      9780521884013
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511770777
      Dimensions:
      (247 x 174 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.598kg, 218 Pages
      Dimensions:
      Weight & Pages:
      • Subjects:
      Physics and Astronomy, Philosophy of Science, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics, Philosophy
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    Subjects:
    Physics and Astronomy, Philosophy of Science, History, Philosophy and Foundations of Physics, Philosophy
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    Book description

    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.

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