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Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and Chance in a Classical World

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Chuang Liu
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Abstract

This essay explores the nature of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) in connection with a cluster of interrelated concepts such as Curie's symmetry principle, ergodicity, and chance and stability in classical systems. First, a clarification of the two existing senses of SSB is provided and an argument developed for a proposal for SSB, in which not only the possibilities but also the actual breakings are referred to. Second, a detailed analysis is given of classical SSB that answers the questions: (i) how we are justified in regarding it as a matter of chance, and (ii) why the breakings in it are equally probable. The answer provides some support to the applicability of ergodicity in special systems (such as ours).

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , July 2003 , pp. 590 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

‡

I would like to thank Craig Callender for reading an earlier draft of the paper and commenting on a shorter version of the paper at the APA Eastern Division Meeting in Philadelphia on December 30, 2002. I also thank two anonymous referees for their constructive suggestions.

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