Determinism and the Mystery of the Missing Physics
This article surveys the difficulties in establishing determinism for classical physics within the context of several distinct foundational approaches to the discipline. It explains that such problems commonly emerge due to a deeper problem of 'missing physics' 1. The Problems of Formalism2. Norton's Example3. Three Species of Classical Mechanics3.1. Mass point physics3.2. The physics of perfect constraints3.3. Continuum mechanics4. Conclusion The Problems of Formalism Norton's Example Three Species of Classical Mechanics3.1. Mass point physics3.2. The physics of perfect constraints3.3. Continuum mechanics Mass point physics The physics of perfect constraints Continuum mechanics Conclusion
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science