Philosophy of Physics
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
Chris Smeenk: Einstein’s Path to a New Theory
Chris Smeenk: Einstein’s Path to a New Theory
ABSTRACT In November 1915, Einstein published a new theory of gravity. This lecture recounts the “rough and winding road” Einstein took in developing his theory, which ended with a dramatic race to the finish. Einstein’s approach was philosophical, partially guided by conceptual puzzles regarding space and motion. We will consider recent critical assessments of Einstein’s […]
1 event,
Stathis Psillos: Engaging Philosophy: Einstein on the Method of Science
Stathis Psillos: Engaging Philosophy: Einstein on the Method of Science
ABSTRACT Albert Einstein said that scientists are poor philosophers. Yet, he added that especially in periods of scientific revolutions, scientists should engage in philosophy and should not “surrender to philosophers the critical contemplation of the theoretical foundations” of science. In this talk I will aim to critically examine Einstein’s views on the method of science […]
1 event,
Doreen Fraser: Einstein, God, Dice, and Quantum Mechanics
Doreen Fraser: Einstein, God, Dice, and Quantum Mechanics
ABSTRACT Einstein is best known for his contributions to the physics of spacetime, the Special and General Theories of Relativity. However, he also played an important role in the development of quantum mechanics, the other great theoretical advance in twentieth century physics. Einstein’s famous response to quantum mechanics was that “God does not play dice.” […]
1 event,
Wayne Myrvold: Einstein and the Atom
Wayne Myrvold: Einstein and the Atom
ABSTRACT Einstein's name is widely associated with the "atom bomb," via the formula E = MC2. Less widely known is that he played a key role in providing evidence that atoms exist at all. One of Einstein's early papers was an analysis of Brownian motion, the ceaseless dance of tiny particles, such as pollen grains, […]