Anta, Javier (2021) The epistemic schism of statistical mechanics. THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science, 36 (3). pp. 399-419. ISSN 2171-679X
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Abstract
In this paper I will argue that the two main approaches to statistical mechanics, that of Boltzmann and Gibbs, constitute two substantially different theoretical apparatuses. Particularly, I defend that this theoretical split must be philosophically understood as a separation of epistemic functions within this physical domain: while Boltzmannians are able to generate powerful explanations of thermal phenomena from molecular dynamics, Gibbsians can statistically predict observable values in a highly effective way. Therefore, statistical mechanics is a counterexample to Hempel's (1958) symmetry thesis, where the predictive capacity of a theory is directly correlated with its explanatory potential and vice versa.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | ISSN: 0495-4548 (print) | ||||||
| Keywords: | Statistical Mechanics, Explanation, Prediction, Hempel, Boltzmann, Gibbs | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics |
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| Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email theoria@ehu.es | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 09 Dec 2021 05:02 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 09 Dec 2021 05:02 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 20000 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | THEORIA. An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science | ||||||
| Publisher: | Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco | ||||||
| Official URL: | https://ojs.ehu.eus/index.php/THEORIA/article/view... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1387/theoria.22134 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Explanation General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics |
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| Date: | September 2021 | ||||||
| Page Range: | pp. 399-419 | ||||||
| Volume: | 36 | ||||||
| Number: | 3 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 2171-679X | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20000 |
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