Abstract
While the fundamental laws of physics are time-reversal invariant, most macroscopic processes are irreversible. Given that the fundamental laws are taken to underpin all other processes, how can the fundamental time-symmetry be reconciled with the asymmetry manifest elsewhere? In statistical mechanics (SM), progress can be made with this question. What I dub the ‘Zwanzig–Zeh–Wallace framework’ can be used to construct the irreversible equations of SM from the underlying microdynamics. Yet this framework uses coarse-graining, a procedure that has faced much criticism. I focus on two objections in the literature: claims that coarse-graining makes time-asymmetry (i) ‘illusory’ and (ii) ‘anthropocentric’. I argue that these objections arise from an unsatisfactory justification of coarse-graining prevalent in the literature, rather than from coarse-graining itself. This justification relies on the idea of measurement imprecision. By considering the role that abstraction and autonomy play, I provide an alternative justification and offer replies to the illusory and anthropocentric objections. Finally, I consider the broader consequences of this alternative justification: the connection to debates about inter-theoretic reduction and the implication that the time-asymmetry in SM is weakly emergent. 1Introduction 1.1Prospectus2The Zwanzig–Zeh–Wallace Framework3Why Does This Method Work? 3.1The special conditions account3.2When is a density forwards-compatible?4Anthropocentrism and Illusion: Two Objections 4.1The two objections in more detail4.2Against the justification by measurement imprecision5An Alternative Justification 5.1ion and autonomy5.2An illustration: the Game of Life6Reply to Illusory7Reply to Anthropocentric8The Wider Landscape: Concluding Remarks 8.1Inter-theoretic relations8.2The nature of irreversibility
Highlights
1.1 Prospectus3.1 The special conditions account 3.2 When is a density forwards-compatible? 4 Anthropocentrism and Illusion: Two Objections 4.1 The two objections in more detail 4.2 Against the justification by measurement imprecision ß The Author(s) 2018
This leads to a traditional problem: given that the fundamental laws are taken to underpin all other processes, how can the fundamental time-symmetry be reconciled with the asymmetry manifest elsewhere?
In the debate about coarsegraining, intersubjective disagreement is not the issue. Rather it is the second kind of subjectivity (:Objectivity2) that is at stake, which I earlier dubbed anthropocentrism
Summary
3.1 The special conditions account 3.2 When is a density forwards-compatible? 4 Anthropocentrism and Illusion: Two Objections 4.1 The two objections in more detail 4.2 Against the justification by measurement imprecision ß The Author(s) 2018. 3.1 The special conditions account 3.2 When is a density forwards-compatible? 4 Anthropocentrism and Illusion: Two Objections 4.1 The two objections in more detail 4.2 Against the justification by measurement imprecision ß The Author(s) 2018. Licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is doi:10.1093/bjps/axy properly cited
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