Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The Neo-Laplacian approach to statistical mechanics; 2. Subjectivism and the Ergodic approach; 3. The Haar measure; 4. Measure and topology in statistical mechanics; 5. Three solutions; Appendix I: mathematical preliminaries; Appendix II: on the foundations of probability; Appendix III: probability in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics; Author index; Subject index.

Promotional Information

A most systematic study of how to interpret probabilistic assertions in the context of statistical mechanics.

Reviews

'... essential reading for philosophers of physics interested in statistical mechanics and of deep interest to those in physics and mathematics interested in foundational issues.' Larry Sklar, author of Physics and Chance '... it will become the standard reference for philosophers of science on foundational questions of statistical physics and related matters. It will be likewise useful as an advanced textbook.' Jan von Plato, author of Creating Modern Probability