Rovelli, Carlo (2022) How causation is rooted into thermodynamics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The notions of cause and effect are widely employed in science. I discuss why and how they are rooted into thermodynamics. The entropy gradient (i) explains in which sense interventions affect the future rather than the past, and (ii) underpins the time orientation of the subject of knowledge as a physical system. Via these two distinct paths, it is this gradient, and only this gradient, the source of the time orientation of causation, namely the fact the cause comes before its effects.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Rovelli, Carlo rovelli@cpt.univ-mrs.fr 0000-0003-1724-9737
Keywords:	Causation, entropy, arrow of time, perspectivalism.
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation
Depositing User:	Carlo Rovelli
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2022 13:39
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2024 13:06
Item ID:	21354
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation
Date:	2 November 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21354

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• How causation is rooted into thermodynamics. (deposited 02 Nov 2022 13:21)
  • How causation is rooted into thermodynamics. (deposited 04 Nov 2022 13:39) [Currently Displayed]

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