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Understanding the Time-Asymmetry of Radiation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Abstract

I discuss the nature of the puzzle about the time-asymmetry of radiation and argue that its most common formulation is flawed. As a result, many proposed solutions fail to solve the real problem. I discuss a recent proposal of Mathias Frisch as an example of the tendency to address the wrong problem. I go on to suggest that the asymmetry of radiation, like the asymmetry of thermodynamics, results from the initial state of the universe.

Type
Philosophy of Space and Time
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

I thank David Albert, Frank Arntzenius, Mathias Frisch, Tim Maudlin, Bradley Monton, Matthew Parker, and Huw Price for helpful comments.

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