Probability in Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics

Frigg, Roman (2007) Probability in Boltzmannian Statistical Mechanics.

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Abstract

In two recent papers Barry Loewer (2001, 2004) has suggested to interpret probabilities in statistical mechanics as Humean chances in David Lewis’ (1994) sense. I first give a precise formulation of this proposal, then raise two fundamental objections, and finally conclude that these can be overcome only at the price of interpreting these probabilities epistemically.

Keywords:statistical mechanics, probability, objective chance, Humean chance, epistemic probability, objective Bayesianism, past hypothesis, fit, best system, Ludwig Boltzmann, David Lewis, Barry Loewer, David Albert
Subjects:Specific Sciences: Physics: Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
ID Code:3489
Deposited By:Frigg, Roman
Deposited On:05 September 2007