June 2022 - philphysmunich

CfR: Foundational Problems of Global Structure in Semi-Classical Gravity (MCMP/LMU Munich, 21-23 July 2022)
by Erik Curiel June 17, 2022

June 17, 2022

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/scg… ********************************************* 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/giavon…> *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

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Second Call for Papers: Sixth Spacetime Conference
by vpetkov＠minkowskiinstitute.org June 8, 2022

June 8, 2022

Dear Colleagues, The sixth spacetime conference will be held in the famous Black Sea resort "Albena" (near Varna, Bulgaria) from 12 to 15 September 2022: http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/conferences/2022/ The Scientific Organizing Committee invites papers from physicists, philosophers of physics and philosophers on any topic related to the nature and ontology of spacetime. Contributed papers in the form of extended abstracts of between one and two pages should be emailed to 2020conference(a)minkowskiinstitute.org by July 15, 2022. Submissions will be reviewed and notification of acceptance will be sent by August 1, 2022. Scientific Organizing Committee: Valia Allori (Northern Illinois University) Robert Geroch (University of Chicago) Vesselin Petkov (Minkowski Institute, Montreal) Carlo Rovelli (Centre de Physique Théorique de Luminy, Marseille, France) Reinoud Jan Slagter (Astronomisch Fysisch Onderzoek Nederland and University of Amsterdam) Anguel Stefanov (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) On behalf of the Scientific Organizing Committee, Vesselin Petkov Minkowski Institute http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/ Montreal, Canada http://spacetimecentre.org/vpetkov/

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Beyond Models Workshop Final Call for Registration
by Martin King June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022

Dear All The Beyond Models Workshop on model independence in physics ( <www.philphys.com/beyondmodels.html>www.philphys.com/beyondmodels.html) taking place at the FTD at the University of Bonn on June 14-15 is two weeks away. See the attached poster for a list of speakers and check the website for a schedule, book of abstracts, and more information. Registration has expired, so we are making a final call for participants to register. Please register using the following form as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/84uyzxE77qsbyiLX9 Registration is required, but there is no fee. All interested parties may attend. -- Martin King

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