Norton, John D. (2011) Approximation and Idealization: Why the Difference Matters. [Preprint]

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Abstract

It is proposed that we use the term “approximation” for inexact description of a target system and “idealization” for another system whose properties also provide an inexact description of the target system. Since systems generated by a limiting process can often have quite unexpected, even inconsistent properties, familiar limit systems used in statistical physics can fail to provide idealizations, but are merely approximations. A dominance argument suggests that the limiting idealizations of statistical physics should be demoted to approximations.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Norton, John D.
Additional Information:	For updates, see http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/jdnorton.html
Keywords:	Approximation, idealization, phase transitio, thermodynamic limit
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	John Norton
Date Deposited:	25 May 2011 16:05
Last Modified:	25 May 2011 16:05
Item ID:	8622
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	2011
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8622

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