Reading Group Philosophy of Physics

[Erik Curiel]

Dear y'all,

I will be responsible for leading the reading group on black holes, 
thermodynamics and information.  At the first session, there will be no 
assigned reading, but I do plan to give an introductory, informal 
presentation of background material I consider necessary for really 
getting into the material we will be covering this term.  I plan to 
cover the basics of the geometry of Kerr black holes with an emphasis on 
the idea of a Killing horizon (since that is the essential geometrical 
structure that leads to Hawking radiation).  If you want to do some 
preparatory reading, I recommend Hawking and Ellis *The Large Scale 
Structure of Space-Time* ch.9, or Wald *General Relativity* ch. 13.  If 
time permits, I will also cover material that can be found in Wald 
*Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime and Black Hole Thermodynamics* 
chs. 4-5.

I plan to send out later today a list of papers I propose we read this 
term.  It would be useful if you would look over the list to see what 
most interests you, so we can settle on a schedule of readings and 
volunteers to lead discussion for each meeting.

Hope to see you there.

Yours,
Erik

-- 
Erik Curiel

Postdoctoral Fellow
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy
Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie
Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft
Ludwigsstrasse 31
80539 München, Deutschland

http://strangebeautiful.com