Fletcher, Samuel C.
(2019)
Modality in Physics.
[Preprint]
Abstract
This review concerns the notions of physical possibility and necessity as they are informed by contemporary physical theories and the reconstructive explications of past physical theories according to present standards. Its primary goal is twofold: first, to motivate and introduce a range of accessible issues of philosophical relevance around these notions; and second, to provide extensive references to the research literature on them. Although I will have occasion to comment on the direction and shape of this literature, pointing out certain lacunae in argument or scholarly attention, I intend to advance no overriding thesis or point of view, aside from the selection of issues I deem most interesting.
| Item Type: |
Preprint
|
| Creators: |
|
| Additional Information: |
Forthcoming in "Routledge Handbook of Modality," Otávio Bueno and Scott A. Shalkowski, eds. |
| Keywords: |
Modality, Structural realism, Anti-realism, Variational principles, Symmetry, Thermodynamic (ir)reversibility, Thermodynamic accessibility, Spacetime ontology, Physically reasonable spacetimes, Determinism, Indeterminism, Many-worlds interpretation, Modal interpretation of quantum mechanics |
| Subjects: |
General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
| Depositing User: |
Prof. Samuel C. Fletcher
|
| Date Deposited: |
26 May 2020 22:29 |
| Last Modified: |
26 May 2020 22:29 |
| Item ID: |
17224 |
| Subjects: |
General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
| Date: |
23 September 2019 |
| URI: |
https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17224 |
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