Coarse graining determines which distinctions exist
Coarse graining determines which distinctions exist
Claim
A distinction may exist at one effective coarse graining while disappearing at another, without any change to underlying microdynamics.
Definitions used
Predictions
- A partition predictive at fine resolution loses predictive power when coarse grained.
- Entropy production increases as distinctions vanish under coarse graining.
Operationalization
- System: stochastic dynamical system with multiple scales
- State variables: micro vs macro observables
- Partition: defined at micro scale
- Metric: predictive divergence of future ensembles
- Timescale: across relaxation hierarchy
Disconfirming outcomes
- Predictive distinctions remain invariant across coarse graining.
- Coarse graining never alters causal relevance.