David Wallace (University of Pittsburgh): What Gibbsian Statistical Mechanics Says

Abstract: I expound and defend the “bare probabilism” reading of Gibbsian (i.e. mainstream) statistical mechanics, responding to Frigg and Werndl’s recent (BJPS 72 (2021), 105-129) plea: “can somebody please say what Gibbsian statistical mechanics says? (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2407.13875)

David Wallace is a philosopher and physicist at the University of Pittsburgh, where he holds the Mellon Chair in Philosophy of Science.

Schedule

15:30-16:00 tea/coffee and pastries (LAK G.01)

16:00-17:30 seminar and Q&A (LAK 2.02)

17:30 onwards pub visit and dinner (depending on speaker’s availability)

This event will take place in person on LSE’s campus. However, those unable to attend in person will have the option of taking part online.

To join online just follow these instructions:

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Please note that these events are routinely recorded, with the edited footage being made publicly available on our website and YouTube channel. We will only record the audio, the slides and the speaker and will not include the Q&A section. However, any question asked during the talk itself will feature in the final edit.