Winter Term 2014/5 Philosophy of Physics Reading Group

[Fletcher, Samuel]

Dear Colleagues (with apologies for cross-posting),

This is just a reminder that the first meeting of the philosophy of 
physics reading group will be 14 October.  The first reading will be the 
extended version of Mark Wilson's "What is 'Classical Mechanics' 
Anyway?" which is forthcoming in his anthology "Physics Avoidance and 
other Essays".  (An abridged version appeared in "The Oxford Handbook in 
Philosophy of Physics", edited by R. Batterman.)  You can access the 
essay here:

http://www.philosophy.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/whatisclassicalmechanicsanyway.pdf

Although it is not technical, the article is long and Wilson's unique 
writing style demands close attention.  Thus I'd recommend starting a 
bit earlier in order to be prepared for the 14th.  I'll lead discussion 
that day.

I'd like to ask at the outset, though, whether everyone would be 
interested in extending the discussion of the topic into the summer 
term.  Currently, we have 7 meetings planned for this term, which will 
make it difficult to cover a great many of the topics in which you've 
expressed interest.  With the summer term I estimate we can have another 
6 meetings.  Please let me know if you have an opinion on this one way 
or another.  If general opinion is overwhelming in one direction or 
another, I'll finalize the syllabus for the rest of the meetings and 
send it out.  Otherwise we'll make a decision during the first meeting.

Best wishes,
~Sam

On 2014-09-29 15:40, Fletcher, Samuel wrote:
> Dear Colleagues (with apologies for cross-posting),
>
> The philosophy of physics reading group in the winter term will meet
> biweekly on Tuesdays, starting 14 October, from 14:00-16:00, in E341
> of the main university building:
> 
> https://lsf.verwaltung.uni-muenchen.de/qisserver/rds?state=verpublish&status=init&vmfile=no&publishid=530558&moduleCall=webInfo&publishConfFile=webInfo&publishSubDir=veranstaltung.
>
> We will focus on topics in the foundations of classical mechanics,
> especially different formulations of classical mechanics, their
> interrelations, and their physical and metaphysical presuppositions.
> As convener, I will send out a tentative syllabus around 7 October.
> Until then, potentially interested participants are encouraged to
> suggest stimulating papers.
>
> Best wishes,
> Sam Fletcher