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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

177366

Infinite idealizations

John D. Norton

pp. 197-210

Abstract

1. Approximations of arbitrarily large but finite systems are often mistaken for infinite idealizations in statistical and thermal physics. The problem is illustrated by thermodynamically reversible processes. They are approximations of processes requiring arbitrarily long, but finite times to complete, not processes requiring an actual infinity of time.2. The present debate over whether phase transitions comprise a failure of reduction is confounded by a confusion of two senses of "level": the molecular versus the thermodynamic level and the few component versus the many component level.

Publication details

Published in:

Galavotti Maria Carla, Nemeth Elisabeth, Stadler Friedrich (2014) European philosophy of science: philosophy of science in europe and the Viennese heritage. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 197-210

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-01899-7_14

Full citation:

Norton John D. (2014) „Infinite idealizations“, In: M. Galavotti, E. Nemeth & F. Stadler (eds.), European philosophy of science, Dordrecht, Springer, 197–210.