Philosophy of physics
People
Course director
Description
The course provides students with an introduction to the philosophy of physics. After introducing some basic elements of the theory of relativity, of quantum mechanics and of quantum gravity, the course will explain how such theories bear on our philosophy of material objects, events, time and spacetime. While some background in physics and mathematics will be helpful, the course will not assume any specific knowledge beyond high school mathematics and physics.
References
Dainton, B. (2001). Time and Space. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.
Earman, J. (1989). World Enough and Space-Time: Absolute versus Relational Theories of Space and Time. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Maudlin, T. (2012). Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Reichenbach, H. (1958). The Philosophy of Space and Time. New York: Dover.
Sklar, L. (1974). Space, Time, and Spacetime. University of California Press.