CfR: Foundational Problems of Global Structure in Semi-Classical Gravity (MCMP/LMU Munich, 21-23 July 2022)

[Erik Curiel]

The Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy invites registration for 
the following event:

Global Structure in Semi-Classical Gravity

MCMP, LMU Munich

21-23 July 2022

https://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/events/workshops/container/scg2022/index.html

*********************************************

Semi-classical gravity (SCG)---the coupling of the dynamics of quantum 
fields to the classical spacetime geometry of general relativity by way 
of the semi-classical Einstein field equation (SCEFE)---is the framework 
within which black hole thermodynamics is formulated.  As such, it is 
widely held to provide the most secure theoretical clues to a search for 
a theory of quantum gravity.  Considered in its own right, however, it 
already presents us with a plethora of foundational and conceptual 
problems that require investigation, even over and above the most famous 
one, Hawking's Information-Loss Paradox.

- In what sense is it legitimate to think of black holes as 
thermodynamical systems?
- What is the causal structure of an evaporating black hole spacetime, 
and its relation to causality conditions on quantum fields?
- What is black hole entropy?
- How does the Generalized Second Law ramify into the host of other 
problems of fundamental physical and philosophical import that the 
ordinary Second Law of thermodynamics does?
- What is the difference between geometry and matter?
- Are there singularities in the semi-classical regime, and does a form 
of cosmic censorship hold in it?
- What role do classical energy conditions and quantum energy 
inequalities play, and how do they relate to entropy and information?
- What is holography at the semi-classical level, and what role can or 
does it play there?
- What can the epistemology of a field of physics be, completely 
divorced from experimentation and observation?

This will be the first major conference to address foundational and 
philosophical issues associated with SCG, and to try to examine how they 
all bear on each other.  Invited physicists and philosophers have been 
chosen to represent different approaches to SCG and the many different 
kinds of conceptual questions it poses (quantum field theory on curved 
spacetime, emergent gravity, canonical gravity, holography, 
phenomenology, methodology, epistemology), in an attempt to foster a 
dialogue among the different fields.  Contributed talks from both 
physicists and philosophers will be chosen so as to complement the 
perspectives of the invited speakers.  Such a gathering will spur new, 
innovative approaches to the problem, as well as connecting and 
invigorating work on existing approaches. It will also provide young 
researchers with a comprehensive introduction to the state of the art of 
this central field of research, and established researchers with a 
comprehensive overview.



*Invited Speakers*

- Beatrice Bonga <https://hef.ru.nl/~bbonga/>
- Ted Jacobson 
<https://umdphysics.umd.edu/people/faculty/current/item/246-jacobson.html>
- Eleni Kontou <https://www.york.ac.uk/maths/staff/eleni-kontou/>
- JB Manchak <https://www.lps.uci.edu/~jmanchak/>
- Marija Tomašević <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marija-Tomasevic>
- Chris Smeenk <https://publish.uwo.ca/~csmeenk2/>
- Rainer Verch 
<https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/profile/mitarbeiter/prof-dr-rainer-verch>
- Bob Wald <https://physics.uchicago.edu/people/profile/robert-wald/>
- Chris Wüthrich <https://www.wuthrich.net/>



*Registration*

We will hold the conference in-person, with no video connections, 
although the talks and Q&A will be recorded (pending agreement by the 
speakers).  Please send registration requests by 01 July 2022 using the 
following form: https://forms.gle/rBAZakkNPxc2uxD87

The fees for the conference and dinner are as follows.

- Senior researchers with permanent positions (associate and full 
professors, etc.): conference fee EUR 40
- Junior researchers (assistant professors, post-docs, etc.): conference 
fee EUR 25
- Students (masters, doctoral, etc.): no conference fee
- Conference dinner (for everyone): EUR 30


*Organizers*

- Erik Curiel 
<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/people/faculty/curiel/index.html>
- Juliusz Doboszewski 
<https://sites.google.com/site/juliuszdoboszewski/home>
- Cecilia Giavoni 
<https://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/cosmology/members/sci_mem/giavoni/index.html>


*Acknowledgements*

Gefördert teilweise durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) --
Projektnummer 312032894, CU 338/1-2 (Erik Curiel).  (Funded in part by
the German Research Foundation (DFG) -- project number 312032894, CU
338/1-2, Erik Curiel.)  Also supported by the Volkswagen Foundation 
funding for the Lichtenberg  Group for History and Philosophy of Physics 
at the University of Bonn 
<https://www.history-and-philosophy-of-physics.com/>, under the 
direction of Prof. Dr. Dennis Lehmkuhl.

-- 
Erik Curiel
http://strangebeautiful.com

Assistant Professor
Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de

BHI Research Fellow
Black Hole Initiative
Harvard University
http://bhi.fas.harvard.edu