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PHYSICS AND CHANCE
Philosophical Foundations of Statistical
Physics
Purpose of the course: The aim
of the course is to make the students familiar with the philosophical
foundations of statistical physics, such as the different notions of
probability applied in statistical mechanics, the nature of statistical
explanation, the role of ergodicity, the problem of the direction of
time, and its relation to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. In the
course we will read and discuss Lawrence Sklar's book Physics and Chance, Philosophycal Issues
in the Foundations of Statistical Mechanics.
Prerequisites for the course: The
course is self-contained; it has no specific prerequisites.
Course
schedule:
- Introduction Introduction
- Historical
sketch Q2
- Probability Q3
- Statistical
explanation Q4
- Equilibrium
theory Q5
- Describing
non-equilibrium Q6
- Rationalizing
non-equilibrium theory Q7a
Q7b
- Cosmology and
irreversibility Q8
- The reduction
of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics Q9
- The direction
of time Q10
- The current
state of the major question Q11
Literature:
- Lawrence
Sklar: Physics and Chance, Philosophycal Issues in the Foundations of
Statistical Mechanics (Cambridge University Press, 1993).
- Jos Uffink:
''Compendium of the Foundations of Classical Statistical Physics,'' in:
Jeremy Butterfield and John Earman (eds.): Philosophy of Physics
(Elsevier, 2007).
- Jos Uffink:
''Bluff your way with the Second Law of Thermodynamics,'' Studies in
the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 32, 305-394.
- Jeremy
Butterfield: Philosophy of Thermal Physics, ps.
- Roman Frigg: A
Field Guide to Recent Work on the Foundations of Statistical Mechanics,
here.
- David Albert:
Time and Chance (Harvard University Press, 2000).
Reader: here.
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