PhilSci Archive

The Logic of the Past Hypothesis

Wallace, David (2011) The Logic of the Past Hypothesis. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
 PDF (30 pages) - Submitted Version
Download (354Kb) | Preview

    Abstract

    I attempt to get as clear as possible on the chain of reasoning by which irreversible macrodynamics is derivable from time-reversible microphysics, and in particular to clarify just what kinds of assumptions about the initial state of the universe, and about the nature of the microdynamics, are needed in these derivations. I conclude that while a "Past Hypothesis" about the early Universe does seem necessary to carry out such derivations, that Hypothesis is not correctly understood as a constraint on the early Universe's entropy.

    Export/Citation:EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
    Social Networking:
    Share |
    Item Type: Preprint
    Additional Information: To appear in B. Loewer, E. Winsberg and B. Weslake (ed.), currently-untitled volume discussing David Albert's "Time and Chance".
    Keywords: Statistical mechanics Thermodynamics Past Hypothesis
    Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
    Depositing User: David Wallace
    Date Deposited: 09 Nov 2011 21:01
    Last Modified: 09 Nov 2011 21:01
    Item ID: 8894
    URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8894

    Actions (login required)

    		 View Item

    Document Downloads