The non-standad logic of physics: the case of the Boltzmann-Sinai hard-sphere system

TL;DR

This paper investigates the logical foundations of classical physics using the Boltzmann-Sinai system, revealing that classical states can obey non-classical logic principles similar to quantum logic, challenging traditional deterministic views.

Contribution

It demonstrates that classical mechanical systems can follow non-classical propositional logic, bridging a gap between classical and quantum logical frameworks.

Findings

Classical states can obey non-classical logic principles.

The Boltzmann-Sinai system exhibits quantum-like logical behavior.

Challenges the assumption of classical deterministic logic in physics.

Abstract

One of the most challenging and fascinating issues in mathematical and theoretical physics concerns identifying the common logic, if any, which underlies the physical world. More precisely, this involves the search of the possibly-unique axiomatic logical proposition calculus to apply simultaneously both to classical and quantum realms of physics and to be consistent with the corresponding mathematical and filosophysical setups. Based on the recent establishment of quantum logic, which has been shown to apply both to Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Gravity, the crucial remaining step involves the identification of the appropriate axiomatic logical proposition calculus to be associated with Classical Mechanics. In this paper the issue is posed for a fundamental example of Classical Mechanics, which is represented by the so-called Boltzmann-Sinai dynamical system. This is realized by the ensemble of classical smooth hard-spheres, which is set at the basis of Classical Statistical Mechanics and is also commonly regarded as a possible realization of Classical Newtonian Cosmology. Depending on the initial conditions which are prescribed for such a system, its classical state is shown to obey the propositional calculus of non-classical logic. In particular, the latter is expressed by the 3-way Principle of Non-Contradiction, namely the same logical principle that holds for quantum logic. The result therefore permits to question on a mathematical basis the principles of deterministic classical logic and the validity of their character within the domain of Classical Physics. Such a conclusion represents a potential notable innovation in the logical dicotomy true/false, a crucial topic which has crossed millennia through philosophy, logic, mathematics and physics.