Inferential vs. Dynamical Conceptions of Physics

TL;DR

This paper compares inferential and dynamical perspectives in classical, quantum, and quantum statistical mechanics, highlighting their differences and inseparability in quantum statistical mechanics, and explores foundational issues in these fields.

Contribution

It offers a detailed contrast between inferential and dynamical views across different physics domains, emphasizing their conceptual implications and inseparability in quantum statistical mechanics.

Findings

Inferential and dynamical views differ in classical and quantum mechanics.

In quantum statistical mechanics, the inferential and dynamical aspects are inseparable.

The paper sheds light on foundational issues in statistical and quantum physics.

Abstract

I contrast two possible attitudes towards a given branch of physics: as inferential (i.e., as concerned with an agent's ability to make predictions given finite information), and as dynamical (i.e., as concerned with the dynamical equations governing particular degrees of freedom). I contrast these attitudes in classical statistical mechanics, in quantum mechanics, and in quantum statistical mechanics; in this last case, I argue that the quantum-mechanical and statistical-mechanical aspects of the question become inseparable. Along the way various foundational issues in statistical and quantum physics are (hopefully!) illuminated.