Abstract
In a previous article, we have demonstrated by a general phase space argument that a Maxwellian Demon is compatible with statistical mechanics. In this article, we show how this idea can be put to work in the prevalent model of the Demon, namely, a particle-in-a-box, used, for example, by Szilard and Bennett. In the literature, this model is used in order to show that a Demon is incompatible with statistical mechanics, either classical or quantum. However, we show that a detailed phase space analysis of this model illustrates that aMaxwellian Demon is compatible with statistical mechanics.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 264-283 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Philosophy of Science |
Volume | 78 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- History
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science