Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

4-2018

Abstract

I highlight that the aim of using statistical mechanics to underpin irreversible processes is, strictly speaking, ambiguous. Traditionally, however, the task of underpinning irreversible processes has been thought to be synonymous with underpinning the Second Law of thermodynamics. I claim that contributors to the foundational discussion are best interpreted as aiming to provide a microphysical justification of the Minus First Law, despite the ways their aims are often stated. I suggest that contributors should aim at accounting for both the Minus First Law and Second Law.

Discipline

Philosophy | Philosophy of Science

Research Areas

Humanities

Publication

Analysis

Volume

78

Issue

2

First Page

244

Last Page

254

ISSN

0003-2638

Identifier

10.1093/analys/anx147

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/analys/anx147

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