This book provides a comprehensive investigation into the concept of typicality and its significance for physics and the philosophy of science. It identifies typicality as a fundamental way of reasoning, central to how natural laws explain and are tested against phenomena. The book discusses various applications of typicality to foundational questions in physics and beyond.These include:

  • a unified interpretation of objective probabilities in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics
  • a detailed discussion of Boltzmann's statistical mechanics, entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics
  • a novel account of the asymmetry of causation and the arrow of time

 

Finally, the book turns to the question: "What are laws of nature"? It argues that typicality extends to a powerful way of reasoning in metaphysics that can and should inform our commitments about the fundamental ontology of the world. On this basis, it develops an argument against the Humean best system account, according to which laws of nature are merely an efficient summary of contingent regularities. 


Dustin Lazarovici studied physics and mathematics at the University of Munich. He holds a PhD in mathematics from the University of Munich and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Lausanne. He is currently an Assistant Professor for philosophy of physics and philosophy of science at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. 

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Discusses various applications of typicality to foundational questions in physics Shows that typicality is a powerful way of reasoning in metaphysics Develops an argument against the Humean best system account
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9783031334474
Publisert
2023-11-17
Utgiver
Springer International Publishing AG
Høyde
210 mm
Bredde
148 mm
Aldersnivå
Research, P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
17

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