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Time and Chance

Disciplines:
philosophy of time
philosophy of science/philosophy of physics

Summary

David Albert's account of the thermodynamic arrow of time, arguing that the direction of time derives from the Past Hypothesis — the universe's special low-entropy initial condition.

Core Contribution

The Past Hypothesis framework: time's arrow is not a fundamental feature of physics but emerges from the special initial conditions of the universe. The Mentaculus: a complete probability distribution over the history of the universe based on the Past Hypothesis and the principle of indifference.

Historical Influences

David Z. Albert

Intellectual Lineage

No conceptual lineage found.

Allied Works

From Eternity to Here Quantum Mechanics and Experience

Contemporaries & Peers

No recorded contemporaries.

Minds Influenced

No recorded minds influenced.

Intellectual Posterity

No conceptual posterity found.

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Time and Chance

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