Boltzmann's Time Bomb

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8399709
AutoresH Price (0000-0002-9091-760X, autor correspondente)
Ano2002
Volume53
Fascículo1
Páginas83-119
Data de publicação2002-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe British Journal for the Philosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0007-0882 • E-ISSN: 1464-3537
EditoraOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/bjps/53.1.83
OpenAlexW2050308866
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas17
Referências citadas12

Since the late nineteenth century, physics has been puzzled by the time‐asymmetry of thermodynamic phenomena in the light of the apparent T‐symmetry of the underlying laws of mechanics. However, a compelling solution to this puzzle has proved elusive. In part, I argue, this can be attributed to a failure to distinguish two conceptions of the problem. According to one, the main focus of our attention is a time‐asymmetric lawlike generalisation. According to the other, it is a particular fact about the early universe. This paper aims (i) to distinguish these two different conceptions of the time‐asymmetric explanandum in thermodynamics; (ii) to argue in favour of the latter; and (iii) to show that whichever we choose, our rational expectations about the thermodynamic behaviour of the future must depend on what we know about the past: contrary to the common view, statistical arguments alone do not give us good reason to expect that entropy will always continue to increase.

Boltzmann constant · Economics · Entropy (arrow of time) · Epistemology · Focus (optics) · Mathematical economics · Physics · Theoretical physics · Thermodynamics · Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics · Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics · Philosophy · Statistical Mechanics and Entropy