Boltzmann ’ s Time Bomb Huw Price
نویسنده
چکیده
Since the late nineteenth century, physics has been puzzled by the timeasymmetry of the thermodynamic phenomena in the light of the apparent T-symmetry of the underlying laws of mechanics. However, a compelling solution to this puzzle has proved elusive. In part, I argue, this can be attributed to a failure to distinguish two conceptions of the problem. According to one, the main focus of our attention is a timeasymmetric law-like generalisation. According to the other, it is a particular fact about the early universe. This paper aims (i) to distinguish these two different conceptions of the time-asymmetric explanandum in thermodynamics; (ii) to argue in favour of the latter; and (iii) to show that whichever we choose, our rational expectations about the thermodynamic behaviour of the future must depend on what we know about the past— contrary to the common view, statistical arguments alone do not give us good reason to expect that entropy will always continue to increase.
منابع مشابه
What Is the Problem about the Time-asymmetry of Thermodynamics?: a Reply to Price
Huw Price argues that there are two conceptions of the puzzle of the time-asymmetry of thermodynamics. He thinks this puzzle has remained unsolved for so long partly due to a misunderstanding about which of these conceptions is the right one and what form a solution ought to take. I argue that it is Price’s understanding of the problem which is mistaken. Further, it is on the basis of this and ...
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