Abstract
The motivation for this talk is the belief that in any study of the philosophy of science a necessary prerequisite is that the input data, which is science itself, should be correct. In statistical mechanics particularly, precision is an elusive goal. It is safe to say that a major portion of the nontrivial results in statistical mechanics has been derived from inconsistent formulations. Now, as we know, all conclusions follow logically from inconsistent postulates. This is indeed observed in practice. Fortunately there is a natural filter which shields from publication the most whimsical, outlandish, and flagrantly incorrect conclusions. But occasionally such a result is enshrined as a paradox, and then heroic efforts are required to dislodge it.
Dedicated to the memory of Bernard Friedman whose life was a source of inspiration both as a person and as a mathematician.
This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant No. AF-AFOSR-815–66.
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Grad, H. (1967). Levels of Description in Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. In: Bunge, M. (eds) Delaware Seminar in the Foundations of Physics. Studies in the Foundations Methodology and Philosophy of Science, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-86102-4_5
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