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Philosophy of Physics Reading Group, Summer Term 2015: Renormalization Group Methods
by Karim Thébault April 15, 2015

April 15, 2015

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patricia Palacios <p.p.palaci(a)gmail.com> Date: 13 April 2015 at 19:20 Subject: Philosophy of Physics Reading Group, Summer Term 2015: Renormalization Group Methods Dear all, As you might know, this term the topic of our philosophy of physics reading group will be: Renormalization group methods (RG). The idea is to discuss RG not only as they are used in condensed matter physics but also in QFT and Quantum Gravity. Of course, I don´t have in mind going into all the physical details, but I am inclined to read some physical papers as well as philosophical. I propose that we have our first meeting on Tuesday 21. and that we meet every two weeks since then. If you agree, *the first session will take place on Tuesday 21* *in E210, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1 from 16:00 to 18:00*. *Please find attached the reading for the first session*. It is a very brief introduction to RG methods that will help us to visualise the philosophical questions that we want to discuss during the term. I will elaborate a draft version of the program before our first meeting, but *it would be very nice if you could send me the readings that you want to discuss*. Very best, Patricia

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Talks by Guido Bacciagaluppi, David Wallace and Andrea Oldofredi
by Dardashti, Radin April 7, 2015

April 7, 2015

Speaker: Guido Bacciagaluppi (Aberdeen) Date: Tue., April 14 Location: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, E210 Time: 16:00 -⁠ 18:00 Title: The Misleading Equivalence of Decoherence and Branching Abstract: Well-known theorems relating decoherence and branching suggest using the time-arrow of decoherence to explain the macroscopic branching structure of the Everettian multiverse. It is argued by general considerations and in a toy model that branching can be explained naturally also in the case of time-symmetric decoherence as a purely perspectival effect of coarse-graining over 'records' of future events. This result may impinge on the discussion of identity, uncertainty and probability in Everett. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker: Guido Bacciagaluppi (Aberdeen) Date: Thu., April 16 Location: Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Campus Garching, MPQ, seminar room B2.46 Time: 14:00 -⁠ 15:00 Title: Leggett–Garg Inequalities, Pilot Waves and Contextuality Abstract: In this talk we first analyse Leggett and Garg's argument to the effect that macroscopic realism contradicts quantum mechanics. After making explicit all the assumptions in Leggett and Garg's reasoning, we argue against the plausibility of their auxiliary assumption of non-invasive measurability, using Bell's construction of stochastic pilot-wave theories as a counterexample. Violations of the Leggett–Garg inequality thus do not provide a good argument against macrorealism per se. We then apply Dzhafarov and Kujala's analysis of contextuality in the presence of signalling to the case of the Leggett–Garg inequalities, with rather surprising results. An analogy with pilot-wave theory again helps to clarify the situation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker: Guido Bacciagaluppi (Aberdeen) Date: Fri., April 17 Location: Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, Campus Garching, MPQ, seminar room B0.22 Time: 10:15 -⁠ 11:45 Title: Did Bohr Understand EPR? Abstract: Contrary to widespread belief, I argue that Niels Bohr's arguments in his reply to Einstein Podolsky and Rosen in 1935 take fully into account the separation between the two particles. Specifically, I argue that there is no sleight of hand in the passage from Bohr's discussion of a single particle passing through a slit and his subsequent discussion of the EPR example. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker: David Wallace (Oxford) Date: Wed., April 15 Location: Ludwigstr. 31, ground floor, room 021 Time: 16:15 -⁠ 17:45 Title: Statistical mechanics from an emergentist viewpoint Abstract: I sketch a view of the philosophy of statistical mechanics as (a) concerned primarily with the interrelations between different dynamical systems describing more or less coarse-grained degrees of freedom of a system, and only secondarily with thermodynamic notions like equilibrium and entropy, and (b) informed by developments in contemporary mainstream physics. I develop, as concrete examples, (i) the projection-based approach to kinetic equations developed in the 1970s by Balescu, Prigogine, Zwanzig et al, and (ii) the relevance of quantum mechanics to nominally “classical” systems like the ideal gas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaker: Andrea Oldofredi (Lausanne) Date: Thu., April 16 Location: Ludwigstr. 31, ground floor, room 021 Time: 12:15 -⁠ 13:45 Title: Extensions of Bohmian Mechanics to Quantum Field Theory (WIP Talk) Abstract: The aim of this talk is twofold: firstly I will show the extensions of Bohmian Mechanics (BM) to Quantum Field Theory (QFT) pointing out virtues and limits of these models, and secondly I will discuss whether or not they are interesting alternatives to the conventional QFT. Since it is widely believed that BM cannot be extended to the realm of QFT in virtue of several no go theorems that exclude the possibility to have a particle ontology in relativistic quantum mechanics, I will show how this criticism misses the point. The severe problems that BM encounters within the relativistic framework are discussed as well. Finally, I will point out the necessity to have a clear ontology as a basic ingredient of a physical theory.

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Loops'15 in Erlangen
by Karim Thébault March 11, 2015

March 11, 2015

Dear All, Some of you may be interested to know that the announcement for the Loops'15 conference in Erlangen this July has just come out: www.loops15.de . Cheers, Karim

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The Problem of Time in Perspective (LMU Munich, 3rd - 4th July 2015)
by Karim Thébault March 5, 2015

March 5, 2015

********************************************* THE PROBLEM OF TIME IN PERSPECTIVE LMU Munich 3rd - 4th July 2015 www.lmu.de/problemoftime2015 ********************************************* Whilst there is broad agreement that the canonical quantization of general relativity leads to an acute problem relating to time, there is not uniform consensus regarding either the nature of this `problem of time in quantum gravity’, or the requirements for a satisfactory solution. Questions remain, for example, with regard to interpretation of the timeless Wheeler-de Witt formalism, the canonical representation of the spacetime diffeomorphism group, the formal and empirical status of observables and the relevance of the problem of time to other approaches to gravity. The aim of this workshop is to bring together experts on the problem of time for discussion of both formal and philosophical issues. Participants will include both physicists working at the forefront of quantum gravity research, and specialists in the historical and philosophical foundations of the subject. The workshop will be held in Munich over the 3rd and 4th July and so will immediately proceed the Loops15 conference scheduled to be held in nearby Erlangen the following week. Interested physicists, philosophers or historians (and graduate students) are all very welcome to participate in the workshop. We also welcome applications to give a short comment on one of the invited talks. All submissions, enquires and registration for participation should be addressed to Karim.Thebault(a)lrz.uni-muenchen.de. INVITED SPEAKERS: Bianca Dittrich (Perimeter Institute), Steve Giddings (Santa Barbara), Sean Gryb (Radbound), Philipp Hoehn (Perimeter Institute), Tim Koslowski (New Brunswick), Brian Pitts (Cambridge), Oliver Pooley (Oxford), Carlo Rovelli (Aix-Marseille), Donald Salisbury (Austin College), Lee Smolin (Perimeter Institute) ORGANISERS: Alex Blum (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science), Dean Rickles (Sydney), Karim Thebault (LMU Munich) ********************************************* The conference is organised by the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (LMU Munich) in collaboration with the Centre for Time (University of Sydney) and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. We are very grateful to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science for financial support.

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Talks by Lev Vaidman at LMU next week
by Michael Cuffaro Feb. 11, 2015

Feb. 11, 2015

Dear all, Professor Lev Vaidman (Tel Aviv University) will be giving three talks next week at LMU: 1) Monday, 16.2.2015, 13:30: Time symmetric quantum mechanics 2) Tuesday, 17.2.2015, 10:30: Weak measurements and weak values 3) Wednesday, 18.2.2015, 10:30: Counterfactual Communication All talks will be in H537, Schellingstr. 4. Best regards, -- Michael Cuffaro Postdoctoral Fellow Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1 80539 München, Deutschland http://www.michaelcuffaro.com

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CFA: 4th Tuebingen Summer School. Idealizations in Physics, with John. D. Norton
by Karim Thébault Feb. 9, 2015

Feb. 9, 2015

Call for Applications The Forum Scientiarum <http://www.forum-scientiarum.uni-tuebingen.de/> (University of Tuebingen) kindly invites 20 graduate students and young researchers in the field of philosophy, physics and mathematics, to apply for the 4th Summer School on the History and Philosophy of Science: Tuebingen, July 27th–July 31st, 2015 Idealizations in Physics with John D. Norton (University of Pittsburgh) and a keynote lecture by Stephan Hartmann (LMU Munich). Application deadline: May 20, 2015 There is no program fee. More details about the program and the application procedure are available at the following Internet address: http://www.forum-scientiarum.uni-tuebingen.de/summerschool < http://www.forum-scientiarum.uni-tuebingen.de/summerschool> We are looking forward to your applications! Best Regards, Marco Giovanelli <http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marco.giovanelli> Marco Giovanelli <mailto:marco.giovanelli@uni-tuebingen.de> • DFG-Research Fellow <http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marco.giovanelli> homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marco.giovanelli < http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marco.giovanelli> • < http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marco.giovanelli>

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Summer school: The Ontology of Physics. Call for applications
by Karim Thébault Feb. 9, 2015

Feb. 9, 2015

Call for applications 3rd International Summer School in Philosophy of Physics: The Ontology of Physics Saig (Black Forest), Germany, 20-25 July 2015 Organized by the Department of Philosophy of the University of Lausanne, the Department of Mathematics of Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Supported by the Volkswagen Stiftung Topics: ï Philosophical introduction to ontology ï The ontology of classical and quantum physics ï The ontology of quantum field theory ï Entanglement and the quantum measurement problem ï The ontology of space and time ï The ontological status of laws of nature Speakers: Jeff Barrett (Philosophy, Irvine) Claus Beisbart (Philosophy, Bern) Dirk Deckert (Mathematics, Munich) Detlef D¸rr (Mathematics, Munich) Michael Esfeld (Philosophy, Lausanne) Shelly Goldstein (Mathematics, Rutgers) Anna Marmodoro (Philosophy, Oxford) Tim Maudlin (Philosophy, New York University) Christian W¸thrich (Philosophy, San Diego / Geneva) Nino ZanghÏ (Physics, Genova) Audience: PhD students in physics or philosophy, master students who envisage doing a PhD in physics or the philosophy of physics, general public being acquainted with the subject at least at master level Fees: EUR 650 includes accommodation in single room with private bathroom, full board and tuition; a reduced fee of EUR 180 is available for graduate students without the possibility of financial support from their institutions. Furthermore, a very limited number of travel grants may be available. For further information, see https://sites.google.com/site/isspp2015/, follow http://takingupspacetime.wordpress.com< http://takingupspacetime.wordpress.com/>, or contact Mario.Hubert(a)unil.ch <mailto:Mario.Hubert@unil.ch>

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Fwd: [Quantum-gravity] Postdoc position in Chicago
by Karim Thébault Feb. 6, 2015

Feb. 6, 2015

Call for Applications: POSTDOC POSITION in PHILOSOPHY OF QUANTUM GRAVITY at UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO The philosophy of physics group at the Department of Philosophy at UIC solicits applications for a two-year postdoctoral research position, starting August 2015. The position is contingent on confirmation of anticipated funding. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the project’s research by pursuing their own research in the philosophy of quantum gravity and by collaborating on existing research efforts within the UIC group led by Professor Nick Huggett. They will be expected to participate in weekly project meetings during term, help with the administration and organization of the group’s activities, and contribute to the group’s outreach efforts. The project is one half of a collaboration between UIC and the University of Geneva, where Professor Christian Wüthrich is the group leader. More information on the project and the research groups is available at www.beyondspacetime.net. Applicants with experience in either the philosophy or the foundations of quantum gravity broadly construed will be preferred, but we will also consider applicants with backgrounds in other areas of philosophy of physics, foundational research in physics, or metaphysics, who are willing to devote their efforts to project. All work toward the Ph.D. must be completed before the starting date. The position is anticipated to be for two years. The salary will be competitive. Research funds for travel to relevant conferences and to the group at the University of Geneva will be provided. Please complete the online application and include the names and email addresses of three references at https://jobs.uic.edu Applications must contain a cover letter detailing the pertinent experience for the position, a CV, a one page research statement describing the work to be accomplished during the postdoc including publication plans, and one or two writing samples, For fullest consideration, please apply by 3/6/15. Review of the files will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information, please contact Professor Nick Huggett at huggett(a)uic.edu. The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans.

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Philosophy of Physics Reading Group, Summer Term 2015: Topics and Scheduling
by Fletcher, Samuel Jan. 27, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

Dear Colleagues, At the last meeting of the winter term reading group today, we talked about possible topics and scheduling for next term. A few possible topics were suggested during the meeting, which I've included in the poll linked below. Feel free, however, to suggest a topic different from these if you're so inclined. Regarding scheduling, I've created another poll excluding only times at which some current group members will certainly be unavailable, namely when there are colloquia at the MCMP or current reading group members are teaching. In this spirit, I've indicated the first meeting as occurring during the second week of the summer term, since I will be gone during the first. As with the winter term, in the summer we plan on meeting approximately biweekly. To vote on topics for next term, please visit this poll: http://doodle.com/t8ih2tw875px4f8k. To vote on your preferred meeting times for next term, please visit this poll: http://doodle.com/h3vxnt99engip928. I'll keep the polls open through the first week of February; if you need more time to determine your schedule for next term, please let me know. Best wishes, ~Sam

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Talk by Elena Castellani at MCMP (Jan 28)
by Dardashti, Radin Jan. 27, 2015

Jan. 27, 2015

Speaker: Elena Castellani (Florence) Date: Wed., January 28 Location: Ludwigstr. 31, ground floor, room 021 Time: 18:15 - 19:45 Title: Dual Objects Abstract: The talk elaborates on Ashoke Sen's view that the discovery of physical dualities in the context of quantum field theory and string theory has radically changed our understanding of the ultimate constituents of matter “by bringing in a sort of democracy between all particles, elementary and composite” (Sen, 1996). I argue that such apparently puzzling ontological features of dualities can be better understood by following a structural approach to the objects of physics. The background is the current discussion on structuralist stances in physics.

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