Winter Term 2014/5 Philosophy of Physics Reading Group

[Fletcher, Samuel]

Dear Colleagues (with apologies for cross-posting),

Given that we only have one week to prepare for the first meeting, 
let's read instead Mark Wilson's entry "Classical Mechanics" in the 
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ed. by Edward Craig (London: 
Routledge, 1996).  You can access the essay here:

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

As a reminder, that day we'll discuss whether to extend the reading 
group to both terms and which topics to cover unless a consensus emerges 
over email beforehand.

Finally, further emails regarding the reading group will be sent to the 
Munich Philosophy of Physics mailing list.  If you haven't signed up 
yet, you can do so here: 
https://lists.lrz.de/mailman/listinfo/philphysmunich.

Best wishes,
~Sam

On 2014-10-06 13:58, Fletcher, Samuel wrote:
> 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