From Randomness and Entropy to the Arrow of Time

This Element provides a unique tracing of the different roots of the Arrow of Time.

Lena Zuchowski (Author)

9781009500173, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 March 2024

82 pages
23.5 x 16 x 1 cm, 0.267 kg

The Element reconstructs, analyses and compares different derivational routes to a grounding of the Arrow of Time in entropy. It also evaluates the link between entropy and visible disorder, and the related claim of an alignment of the Arrow of Time with a development from order to visible disorder. The Element identifies three different entropy-groundings for the Arrow of Time: (i) the Empirical Arrow of Time, (ii) the Universal Statistical Arrow of Time, and (iii) the Local Statistical Arrow of Time. The Element will also demonstrate that it is unlikely that high entropy states will always coincide with visible disorder. Therefore, it will dispute that there is a strong link between the Arrow of Time and visible disorder.

1. Introduction
2. Three ways to define randomness and disorder
3. Two approaches to entropy
4. Two versions of the second law
5. Three arrows of time
6. Conclusions
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Philosophy [HP]