Wallace, David (2013) Probability in physics: stochastic, statistical, quantum. [Preprint]

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Abstract

I review the role of probability in contemporary physics and the origin of probabilistic time asymmetry, beginning with the pre-quantum case (both stochastic mechanics and classical statistical mechanics) but concentrating on quantum theory. I argue that quantum mechanics radically changes the pre-quantum situation and that the philosophical nature of objective probability in physics, and of probabilistic asymmetry in time, is dependent on the correct resolution of the quantum measurement problem.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Wallace, David david.wallace@balliol.ox.ac.uk
Additional Information:	To appear in "Asymmetries in Chance and Time", edited by Toby Handfield and Alastair Wilson (OUP, forthcoming)
Keywords:	quantum mechanics statistical mechanics stochastic dynamics probability objective chance
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Professor David Wallace
Date Deposited:	05 Jun 2013 14:15
Last Modified:	05 Jun 2013 14:15
Item ID:	9815
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	2013
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9815

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