PhilSci Archive

An Alternative Interpretation of Statistical Mechanics

McCoy, C.D. (2018) An Alternative Interpretation of Statistical Mechanics. [Preprint]

WarningThere is a more recent version of this item available.
[img]
Preview
 Text
SMS.pdf - Accepted Version
Download (176kB) | Preview

Abstract

In this paper I propose an interpretation of classical statistical mechanics that centers on taking seriously the idea that probability measures represent complete states of statistical mechanical systems. I show how this leads naturally to the idea that the stochasticity of statistical mechanics is associated directly with the observables of the theory rather than with the microstates (as traditional accounts would have it). The usual assumption that microstates are representationally significant in the theory is therefore dispensable, a consequence which suggests interesting possibilities for developing non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and investigating inter-theoretic answers to the foundational questions of statistical mechanics.

Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |
Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
McCoy, C.D.casey.mccoy@ed.ac.uk0000-0002-7921-4911
Keywords: probability, statistical mechanics, theory interpretation
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Dr. Casey McCoy
Date Deposited: 07 Jun 2018 21:26
Last Modified: 07 Jun 2018 21:26
Item ID: 14755
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1007/s10670-018-0015-7
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 1 May 2018
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14755

Available Versions of this Item

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item