An alternative interpretation of statistical mechanics

Casey Mccoy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

In this paper I propose an interpretation of classical statistical mechanics that centers on taking seriously the idea that probability measures represent complete states of statistical mechanical systems. I show how this leads naturally to the idea that the stochasticity of statistical mechanics is associated directly with the observables of the theory rather than with the microstates (as traditional accounts would have it). The usual assumption that microstates are representationally significant in the theory is therefore dispensable, a consequence which suggests interesting possibilities for developing non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and investigating inter-theoretic answers to the foundational questions of statistical mechanics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-21
Number of pages21
JournalErkenntnis
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2018

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