Philosophical Issues in Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Information Theory

Informal Seminars
April 14-27, 2026

Tuesday, 14 April 2026
h. 17.00
Key Concepts and Problems in the Philosophy of Thermodynamics
Lorenzo Lorenzetti

This class introduces the central conceptual framework and foundational problems of thermodynamics as understood through statistical mechanics. It will broadly focus on three closely connected topics: (i) the notion of equilibrium and the relation between macroscopic thermodynamic behaviour and microscopic dynamics; (ii) the concept of entropy, with particular emphasis on its statistical interpretation and its role in characterising equilibrium and non-equilibrium states; and (iii) the problem of irreversibility—namely, how the time-asymmetric Second Law of thermodynamics can be reconciled with time-reversal-invariant, deterministic microphysics.

Tuesday, 21 April 2026
h. 17.00
Physical Information
Niccolò Covoni

This class introduces the conceptual foundations of entropy and information in classical and quantum physics. It focuses on three closely related issues: (i) the notion of entropy, with particular attention to its statistical and information-theoretic interpretations and their role in characterising physical systems; (ii) the physical meaning of information and its role in characterising correlations between systems, both classical and quantum; and (iii) the emergence of deep connections between entropy and entanglement, with entanglement entropy understood as a quantitative measure of relational correlations rather than as an intrinsic property of subsystems.

Monday, 27 April 2026
h. 16.30
Thermodynamics without Time
Francesca Vidotto

Our fundamental theories, i.e., the quantum theory and general relativity, are invariant under time reversal. Only when we treat system from the point of view of thermodynamics, i.e., averaging between many subsystem components, an arrow of time emerges. The relation between thermodynamic and the quantum theory has been fertile, deeply explored and still a source of new investigations. The relation between the quantum theory and gravity, while it has not yet brought an established theory of quantum gravity, has certainly sparkled in depth analysis and tentative new theories. On the other hand, the connection between gravity and thermodynamics is less investigated and more puzzling. I review a selection of results in covariant thermodynamics, such as the construction of a covariant notion of thermal equilibrium by considering tripartite systems. I discuss how such construction requires a relational take on thermodynamics, similarly of what happens in the quantum theory and in gravity.

Organisation
Ratio Association
Institute of Philosophy (FTL)

Place
Room Multiuso
Teologia
Campus Ovest
Via Buffi 13
Lugano, Switzerland

Informations and registration
[email protected]