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The Dome: An Unexpectedly Simple Failure of Determinism

Norton, John D. (2006) The Dome: An Unexpectedly Simple Failure of Determinism. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Because of the specific shape of the dome at its apex, Newton’s equations of motion tell us that a mass at rest at the apex can spontaneously be set into motion. It has been suggested that this indeterminism should be discounted since it draws on an incomplete rendering of Newtonian physics; or it is "unphysical"; or it employs illicit idealizations. I analyze and reject each of these reasons.


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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Norton, John D.
Keywords: Determinism Indeterminism Newtonian
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Depositing User: John Norton
Date Deposited: 06 Oct 2006
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:14
Item ID: 2943
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Date: 2006
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/2943

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