{"product_id":"time-chance-and-reduction-philosophical-aspects-of-statistical-mechanics-hardback-9780521884013","title":"Time, Chance, and Reduction; Philosophical Aspects of Statistical Mechanics (Hardback) 9780521884013","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eTime, Chance, and Reduction\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003ePhilosophical Aspects of Statistical Mechanics\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePresents a summary of current research on the philosophical issues inherent in the reduction of thermodynamics to statistical mechanics.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eGerhard Ernst (Edited by), Andreas Hüttemann (Edited by)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521884013, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eHardback, published 21 January 2010\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e218 pages, 1 b\/w illus.\u003cbr\u003e25.4 x 17.9 x 1.6 cm, 0.598 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eStatistical 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.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eList of contributors\u003cbr\u003e 1. Introduction Gerhard Ernst and Andreas Hütteman\u003cbr\u003e Part I. The Arrows of Time: 2. Does a low-entropy constraint prevent us from influencing the past? Mathias Frisch\u003cbr\u003e 3. The part hypothesis meets gravity Craig Callender\u003cbr\u003e 4. Quantum gravity and the arrow of time Claus Kiefer\u003cbr\u003e Part II. Probability and Chance: 5. The natural-range conception of probability Jacob Rosenthal\u003cbr\u003e 6. Probability in Boltzmannian statistical mechanics Roman Frigg\u003cbr\u003e 7. Humean mechanics versus a metaphysics of powers Michael Esfeld\u003cbr\u003e Part III. Reduction: 8. The crystallisation of Clausius's phenomenological thermodynamics C. Ulises Moulines\u003cbr\u003e 9. Reduction and renormalization Robert W. Batterman\u003cbr\u003e 10. Irreversibility in stochastic dynamics Jos Uffink\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: History of science [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of science\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20science%20%5BPDX%5D%22\"\u003ePDX\u003c\/a\u003e], Philosophy of science [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Philosophy of science\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Philosophy%20of%20science%20%5BPDA%5D%22\"\u003ePDA\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46005418950936,"sku":"9780521884013","price":105.45,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521884013i_6bdeea21-4228-48a7-a41e-52dab22febf6.jpg?v=1691358845","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/time-chance-and-reduction-philosophical-aspects-of-statistical-mechanics-hardback-9780521884013","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}