Randomness and Probability in Dynamical Theories: On the Proposals of the Prigogine School

1 June 1991

journal article
Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Philosophy of Science

Vol. 58 (2) , 241-263
https://doi.org/10.1086/289614

Abstract

I discuss recent work in ergodic theory and statistical mechanics, regarding the compatibility and origin of random and chaotic behavior in deterministic dynamical systems. A detailed critique of some quite radical proposals of the Prigogine school is given. I argue that their conclusion regarding the conceptual bankruptcy of the classical conceptions of an exact microstate and unique phase space trajectory is not completely justified. The analogy they want to draw with quantum mechanics is not sufficiently close to support their most radical conclusion.

Keywords

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