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CORRIGENDUM: Workshop: A New Perspective on the Paradoxes of Modern Physics
by Erik Curiel July 1, 2020

July 1, 2020

[APOLOGIES FOR THE REPETITION -- FIXING A BROKEN LINK IN THE FIRST POST] [forwarding on behalf of the organizers] The University of Urbino is glad to announce the workshop:____ ____ *A New Perspective on the Paradoxes of Modern Physics*____ ____ July the 2^nd , 15.00 Rome time zone (CEST/GMT+2) on Google Meet. *Program:*____ 15.00-16.30 Alexander Afriat (Université de Bretagne Occidentale)- /Kottler’s qualitative electromagnetism/____ 16.30-16.45 Break____ 16.45-18.15 Erik Curiel (Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, Black Hole Initiative) - /Semi-Classical Gravity as Effective Field Theory and the Information-Loss Paradox/____ 18.15-18.30 Break____ 18.30-20.00 Enrico Cinti (University of Urbino, University of Geneva) & Marco Sanchioni (University of Urbino) - /Complementar//ity Lost and Regained: ER=EPR vs Firewalls/____ ____ *Alexander Afriat *- /Kottler’s qualitative electromagnetism/____ *Abstract*: The hole argument, symmetries, gauge freedom, gauge fixing, surplus structure, topology, determinism & Cauchy-well-posedness, general covariance are central themes of modern philosophy of physics. It would be wrong to say they can all be /traced back/ to the obscure Kottler; but they’re all there, in some form or other—if one’s prepared to look hard enough. Kottler views field theories (like electromagnetism) as fundamentally qualitative, in other words ‘deformable.’ The deformability and underdetermination are overcome by the electromagnetic constitutive relations, which give metric rigidity to otherwise shapeless fields, thus allowing them to propagate deterministically.____ ____ *Erik Curiel* - /Semi-Classical Gravity as Effective Field Theory and the Information-Loss Paradox/____ *Abstract:*____ I analyze the structure and content of the Information-Loss Paradox, explaining what exactly the apparently problematic proposition is at its heart and what assumptions are required for deriving it. I then discuss what bearing a resolution of the paradox could have on attempts to formulate a theory of quantum gravity, in light of the fact that the framework of semi-classical gravity, in which the paradox is derived, is merely an effective field theory. I discuss two different ways one might treat semi-classical gravity as an effective field theory, and analyze the different possible consequences for each on the paradox. I conclude that the paradox is not necessarily problematic, though for reasons quite different from those of physicists such as Unruh and Wald and philosophers such as Maudlin, who come to a similar conclusion.____ ____ *Enrico Cinti* & *Marco Sanchioni* - /Complementar//ity Lost and Regained: ER=EPR vs Firewalls/____ *Abstract:*____ Hawking's black hole information paradox has been one of the most studied topics in the foundations of black holes. In its most modern form, the information paradox has evolved into the firewall paradox, which threatens the consistency of the description of the interior of the black hole given by black hole complementarity. In this talk, we study the conceptual foundations of the firewall paradox, and identify its most problematic assumption. Then, we look at how the ER=EPR conjecture makes a resolution of the firewall paradox possible, in the context of the eternal AdS black hole and its generalisations. The upshot of our analysis is that this resolution, however, comes at a price: bulk semiclassical locality is lost.____ ____ ____ The workshop is free to attend and everybody is welcome. Nonetheless, registration is mandatory. To register, complete the form at: https://forms.gle/NsBxb6wK2Rk8We8c6 You will receive information concerning how to sign up to google meet and to attend the workshop in due time. For further information, please, send an email to: a.corti1(a)campus.uniurb.it <mailto:a.corti1@campus.uniurb.it> ____ We look forward to “see’’ you at the workshop,____ ____ The organizers - Enrico Cinti, Alberto Corti & Vincenzo Fano.____ --____ Alberto Corti PhD Student____ Department of Philosophy, University of Geneva____ 5, rue de Candolle____ CH-1211 Genève 4____ ____ Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Via Timoteo Viti 10, I-61029 Urbino / / / / /------------------------/ /Giuseppe Sergioli/ / / Associate Professor// /*University of Cagliari*/ Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari - Italy. Tel.:+39-070-6757113 <tel:%2B39-070-6757113> Fax: +39-070-6757120 <tel:%2B39-070-6757120> Web page: http://people.unica.it/giuseppesergioli/curriculum/ Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=mIFHnOUAAAAJ&hl=en

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Workshop: A New Perspective on the Paradoxes of Modern Physics
by Erik Curiel July 1, 2020

July 1, 2020

[forwarding on behalf of the organizers] The University of Urbino is glad to announce the workshop:____ ____ *A New Perspective on the Paradoxes of Modern Physics*____ ____ July the 2^nd , 15.00 Rome time zone (CEST/GMT+2) on Google Meet. *Program:*____ 15.00-16.30 Alexander Afriat (Université de Bretagne Occidentale)- /Kottler’s qualitative electromagnetism/____ 16.30-16.45 Break____ 16.45-18.15 Erik Curiel (Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, Black Hole Initiative) - /Semi-Classical Gravity as Effective Field Theory and the Information-Loss Paradox/____ 18.15-18.30 Break____ 18.30-20.00 Enrico Cinti (University of Urbino, University of Geneva) & Marco Sanchioni (University of Urbino) - /Complementar//ity Lost and Regained: ER=EPR vs Firewalls/____ ____ *Alexander Afriat *- /Kottler’s qualitative electromagnetism/____ *Abstract*: The hole argument, symmetries, gauge freedom, gauge fixing, surplus structure, topology, determinism & Cauchy-well-posedness, general covariance are central themes of modern philosophy of physics. It would be wrong to say they can all be /traced back/ to the obscure Kottler; but they’re all there, in some form or other—if one’s prepared to look hard enough. Kottler views field theories (like electromagnetism) as fundamentally qualitative, in other words ‘deformable.’ The deformability and underdetermination are overcome by the electromagnetic constitutive relations, which give metric rigidity to otherwise shapeless fields, thus allowing them to propagate deterministically.____ ____ *Erik Curiel* - /Semi-Classical Gravity as Effective Field Theory and the Information-Loss Paradox/____ *Abstract:*____ I analyze the structure and content of the Information-Loss Paradox, explaining what exactly the apparently problematic proposition is at its heart and what assumptions are required for deriving it. I then discuss what bearing a resolution of the paradox could have on attempts to formulate a theory of quantum gravity, in light of the fact that the framework of semi-classical gravity, in which the paradox is derived, is merely an effective field theory. I discuss two different ways one might treat semi-classical gravity as an effective field theory, and analyze the different possible consequences for each on the paradox. I conclude that the paradox is not necessarily problematic, though for reasons quite different from those of physicists such as Unruh and Wald and philosophers such as Maudlin, who come to a similar conclusion.____ ____ *Enrico Cinti* & *Marco Sanchioni* - /Complementar//ity Lost and Regained: ER=EPR vs Firewalls/____ *Abstract:*____ Hawking's black hole information paradox has been one of the most studied topics in the foundations of black holes. In its most modern form, the information paradox has evolved into the firewall paradox, which threatens the consistency of the description of the interior of the black hole given by black hole complementarity. In this talk, we study the conceptual foundations of the firewall paradox, and identify its most problematic assumption. Then, we look at how the ER=EPR conjecture makes a resolution of the firewall paradox possible, in the context of the eternal AdS black hole and its generalisations. The upshot of our analysis is that this resolution, however, comes at a price: bulk semiclassical locality is lost.____ ____ ____ The workshop is free to attend and everybody is welcome. Nonetheless, registration is mandatory. To register, complete the form at: https://forms.gle/NsBxb6wK2Rk8We8c6____ You will receive information concerning how to sign up to google meet and to attend the workshop in due time. For further information, please, send an email to: a.corti1(a)campus.uniurb.it <mailto:a.corti1@campus.uniurb.it> ____ We look forward to “see’’ you at the workshop,____ ____ The organizers - Enrico Cinti, Alberto Corti & Vincenzo Fano.____ --____ Alberto Corti PhD Student____ Department of Philosophy, University of Geneva____ 5, rue de Candolle____ CH-1211 Genève 4____ ____ Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino Via Timoteo Viti 10, I-61029 Urbino / / / / /------------------------/ /Giuseppe Sergioli/ / / Associate Professor// /*University of Cagliari*/ Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari - Italy. Tel.:+39-070-6757113 <tel:%2B39-070-6757113> Fax: +39-070-6757120 <tel:%2B39-070-6757120> Web page: http://people.unica.it/giuseppesergioli/curriculum/ Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=mIFHnOUAAAAJ&hl=en

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ILMPS 2020 postponed
by Giovanni Valente June 24, 2020

June 24, 2020

Due to the current Covid-19 emergency situation, the annual “Irvine-London-Munich-PoliMi-Salzburg Conference in Foundations and Philosophy of Physics” and the ensuing workshop “Mathematical Limits in Physics”, which were originally scheduled on September 2-4 in Milan, will be postponed to 2021. The new dates will be decided and communicated in due time. For more information about the activities of the ILMPS network visit the following link: https://ilmpsnetwork.wordpress.com/ Best regards, Giovanni Valente

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NEW DATES: Mathematics and Analogical Reasoning, 27-28 August, 2021 at LMU Munich
by Erik Curiel June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

******************************************************************************************** The Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy invites registrations for the following event: Mathematics and Analogical Reasoning MCMP, LMU Munich 27-28 August, 2021 https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies **************************************************** IDEA & MOTIVATION: The goal of this conference is to investigate the role of mathematics as a heuristic device for analogical reasoning in science and philosophy. QUESTIONS we aim to address at the conference include (but are not limited to): · How can a positive mathematical analogy generate support for a particular theoretical view about otherwise disconnected physical systems? · Can we be sure that epistemic lessons from one domain carry over to another domain, given that there are always known points of disanalogy? If so, how? · Does the fact that shared mathematical structures can generate new scientific insights have a bearing on (enhanced) indispensability arguments for mathematical realism? · How can a mathematical analogy generate understanding of one system given our understanding of the model system? · What is an adequate methodology for analogical reasoning about meta-empirical domains (like mathematics or ethics)? · Are the mathematical background assumptions of recent arguments featuring mathematical analogies plausible (specifically in light of recent pluralist developments in set theory)? More Information is available on the conference website: https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies. The conference also has a PhilEvents website: https://philevents.org/event/show/81150. REGISTRATION: In order to register please visit the conference website (https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies) or contact Silvia Jonas (silvia.jonas(a)lmu.de<mailto:silvia.jonas@lmu.de>) for further information. ORGANIZERS: Silvia Jonas (MCMP/LMU Munich) Mark Colyvan (University of Sydney/MCMP) https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies https://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/events/workshops/container/ana… https://philevents.org/event/show/81150 -- Erik Curiel http://strangebeautiful.com Assistant Professor Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Ludwigstraße 31 80539 München, Deutschland http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de BHI Research Fellow Black Hole Initiative Harvard University http://bhi.fas.harvard.edu Research Fellow Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Radio and Geoastronomy Division https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/rg

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Topical Issue of *Synthese* Call for Papers: "All Things Reichenbach"
by Erik Curiel May 25, 2020

May 25, 2020

[Please forward to lists and your colleagues as you feel appropriate.] Topical Issue of *Synthese* Call for Papers: "All Things Reichenbach" Guest Editors: Erik Curiel Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy, LMU Munich Black Hole Initiative, Harvard University http://strangebeautiful.com Flavia Padovani English and Philosophy Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia http://flaviapadovani.org/ Topical Collection Description: Hans Reichenbach is among the most important philosophers of science of the Twentieth Century and without doubt one of the most prominent philosophers of physics of the first half of the past century. His work has ramified in fundamental ways into virtually every major debate in the philosophy of science and physics. While Reichenbach's philosophical project is no longer seen as viable as a whole, his work continues to be influential often in unnoticed but deep ways. Although many of his ideas still retain their interest and are discussed in current philosophy of science, he remains, in fact, one of the least understood and least carefully studied philosophical thinkers of his time. Because his own work has not been well understood, his influence is not widely recognized. The primary aim of this collection is to fill this gap by illuminating his contributions to advances in many fields in philosophy, and his legacy in the context of current philosophical research across the discipline as a whole. The theme of the collection, therefore, will be an investigation of his work both in its own context and in its continuing contemporary influence in current philosophy. This collection aims, moreover, at reviving the tradition of inter-disciplinary collaboration that was at the heart of Reichenbach's vision for intellectual work, promoting the cross-pollination of ideas that discussion across traditional disciplinary boundaries can create and so exploring ways in which his insights can continue to be valuable in current scientific and formal approaches to philosophy. It is, in that spirit, a sequel to the conference "All Things Reichenbach" that took place at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (LMU Munich) in July 2019 (http://www.lmu.de/reichenbach2019) Appropriate topics for submission include, among others: 1. geometry, space and relativity 2. the relativized a priori and conventionalism 3. coordination and measurement 4. causality and time 5. statistical mechanics and thermodynamics 6. realism, empiricism and scientific philosophy 7. reasoning, induction and confirmation 8. logic and probability Any other topic related to Reichenbach is also welcome. As emphasized above, submitted papers can focus on Reichenbach's own work in its historical context, on the influence of his work in contemporary debates, or on approaches to contemporary problems inspired by his work. It is the aim of the editors that the selected papers will complement each other, both within each category and across categories. The link for submitting your manuscript to *Synthese*, along with instructions for doing so, will be sent soon in a subsequent posting. For further information, please contact the guest editors: Erik Curiel <erik.curiel(a)lmu.de> Flavia Padovani <flavia.padovani(a)drexel.edu> The deadline for submissions is 15 November 2020. Erik Curiel, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany Flavia Padovani, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA -- Erik Curiel http://strangebeautiful.com Assistant Professor Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Ludwigstraße 31 80539 München, Deutschland http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de BHI Research Fellow Black Hole Initiative Harvard University http://bhi.fas.harvard.edu Research Fellow Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Radio and Geoastronomy Division https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/rg -- Erik Curiel http://strangebeautiful.com Assistant Professor Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Ludwigstraße 31 80539 München, Deutschland http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de BHI Research Fellow Black Hole Initiative Harvard University http://bhi.fas.harvard.edu Research Fellow Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Radio and Geoastronomy Division https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/rg

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Fwd: (SILFS-L) CFP: XXIII International Summer School in Philosophy of Physics - Philosophy of Quantum Computation - University of Urbino
by Michael Cuffaro May 13, 2020

May 13, 2020

Of possible interest to some: -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: (SILFS-L) CFP: XXIII International Summer School in Philosophy of Physics - Philosophy of Quantum Computation - University of Urbino Date: Tue, 12 May 2020 12:56:30 +0200 From: Graziani, Pierluigi <pierluigi.graziani(a)uniurb.it> To: SILFS-L(a)list.cineca.it, SILFS-NOTIZIE <silfs-notizie(a)googlegroups.com> *Call for Participation* and *Call for Papers* The Inter-University Center for Philosophy and Foundations of Physics (CIRFIS), the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Urbino Carlo Bo and the Italian Society for Logic and Philosophy of Science (SILFS) are glad to present: XXIII International Summer School in Philosophy of Physics PHILOSOPHY OF QUANTUM COMPUTATION 15-18 June 2020, University of Urbino, Italy Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it will be impossible to host the XXIII International Summer School in Philosophy of Physics in Urbino. For this reason, we have decided to move the school online and make it free of charge. We know that Summer Schools are occasions to spend time together with other students and researchers, and it is difficult to create the same environment at a distance. Nevertheless, we want to offer to the international community an occasion of "meeting" online and discussing thrilling foundational issues, despite these dire times. We will try our best to create an enjoyable and instructive experience for all participants. The topic of the school is the “Philosophy of Quantum Computation”, and it will feature lectures by Roberto Giuntini (University of Cagliari & Centro Linceo Interdisciplinare "Beniamino Segre"), Maria Luisa Dalla Chiara (University of Florence), Michael Cuffaro (Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy), Giuseppe Sergioli (University of Cagliari); and seminars by Rossella Lupacchini (University of Bologna), and Gustavo Martin Bosyk (University of Cagliari). The deadline for applications is the 24th of May, 2020. The School is free of charge and everybody is welcome to attend. Nonetheless, an application is required in order to participate. Moreover, we have reserved three slots in the program of the Summer School for young scholars interested in presenting their research. We strongly encourage submissions from women and other underrepresented groups in Philosophy of Science. The details of the application process and the full program of the School can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/centroricerchecirfis/xxiiisummerschool_philos… For further information please write to: cirfis.scuolaestiva(a)gmail.com <mailto:cirfis.scuolaestiva@gmail.com>

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Fwd: Zoom seminars in Bonn
by Michael Cuffaro April 19, 2020

April 19, 2020

This may be of interest to some. Hope you are all keeping well. -Mike -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Zoom seminars in Bonn Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2020 12:21:27 +0000 From: Bacciagaluppi, G. (Guido) <g.bacciagaluppi(a)uu.nl> Dear All, Here is Dennis Lehmkuhl's announcement of the Zoom seminars in (?) Bonn. Best, Guido --------------------------------------------- Dear friends and colleagues, next week the summer semester starts at the University of Bonn, and like in most places in the world, all teaching and research meetings will take place online. This is also true for the Bonn History and Philosophy of Physics Research Seminar, which will take place via Zoom at least (!) during the first 4-6 weeks. The first speaker is Tushar Menon; you can find the title and abstract of his talk below. Since it’s taking place via zoom anyhow, we wondered if you or someone from your local groups would like to attend this and/or some of the other research talks in the forthcoming weeks. If so, you would be very welcome to join us! Please also feel free to forward this email to other historians, philosophers, and physicists, whoever you think might be interested. I will not send out any more emails like this for the talks in the next few weeks (many of which are still to be confirmed), but if you would like to hear about more zoom-talks like this then please feel free to subscribe to our local HPP email list by sending an email with empty subject line and only “subscribe hpp” in the main body of the email to sympa(a)listen.uni-bonn.de <mailto:sympa@listen.uni-bonn.de>. I hope you are all well, and that we can see each other again soon in person! All the best, Dennis Event: Bonn History and Philosophy of Physics Research Seminar Speaker: Tushar Menon (Cambridge and Bonn) Time: 21 April, 4:15pm CET 21.4.: Tushar Menon (Cambridge): “Settlers of Cartan—how to be a true relationalist about General Relativity” Abstract: Oliver Pooley reads the dynamical approach to special relativity (SR), an approach he developed with Harvey Brown, as a form of relationalism, since it seeks to offer an explanation of physical geometry by ontologically reducing it to facts about the symmetries of laws governing material bodies. In particular, Brown describes the Minkowski metric as nothing but the Kleinian geometry associated with the quantum theory of non-gravitational physics. Pooley’s own proposal for how to cash this out is in Humean terms, as a form of `regularity relationalism’ developed in the context of Newtonian mechanics by Nick Huggett. For technical reasons that I will outline in this talk, the prospects for a generalisation of this proposal to general relativity (GR) have appeared bleak; indeed, Brown’s own approach to the metric in GR is non-reductive. In this talk, I argue that an understanding of GR in terms of Cartan geometry, a generalisation of Klein geometry, solves the problem, and allows for an ontological reduction of the metric of GR along the same lines as the regularity relationalist account of SR. (This talk is based on joint work with James Read) Zoom link: https://uni-bonn.zoom.us/j/343765054?pwd=T00yNk1xb1E0N2dKZUY3bW9oTDg1dz09 Meeting Password: 665670 -------------------- Dennis Lehmkuhl Lichtenberg Professor for History and Philosophy of Physics, Institute of Philosophy, University of Bonn history-and-philosophy-of-physics.com <http://history-and-philosophy-of-physics.com/> ------------------ Guido Bacciagaluppi Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science and the Humanities Web:http://www.uu.nl/en/research/history-and-philosophy-of-science HPS The Movie: https://youtu.be/EpUNLCo6C8Q Visiting address: Buys Ballotgebouw room 311 Princetonplein 5 3584 CC Utrecht Netherlands Postal address: Freudenthal Instituut Postbus 85.170 3508 AD Utrecht Netherlands Email: g.bacciagaluppi(a)uu.nl Tel.: +31 (0)30 253 5621 Fax: +31 (0)30 253 7494 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *From:* Bacciagaluppi, G. (Guido) <g.bacciagaluppi(a)uu.nl> *Sent:* Monday, April 13, 2020 12:06 *To:* Muller, F.A. (Frederik) <F.A.Muller(a)uu.nl> *Cc:* Michiel P. Seevinck <m.p.seevinck(a)gmail.com>; Dieks, D.G.B.J. (Dennis) <d.dieks(a)uu.nl>; Geurt Sengers <geurtsengers(a)gmail.com>; Beernaert, R. (Raoul) <R.Beernaert(a)students.uu.nl>; s.deharo(a)uva.nl <s.deharo(a)uva.nl>; maurits.moeys(a)gmail.com <maurits.moeys(a)gmail.com>; S.M. Rijken <rijken(a)esphil.eur.nl>; Lange, O.A. (Otto) <o.a.lange(a)uu.nl>; J. de Swart <jacobusgdeswart(a)gmail.com>; Jeroen van Dongen <J.A.E.F.vanDongen(a)uva.nl>; Moley, D.E. (Damon) <d.e.moley(a)students.uu.nl>; Hermens, R. (Ronnie) <r.hermens(a)uu.nl>; Sean Gryb <sean.gryb(a)gmail.com>; Jorna, T.F.K. (Thomas) <t.f.k.jorna(a)students.uu.nl>; m.t.hemme(a)student.rug.nl <m.t.hemme(a)student.rug.nl>; Petit, F.M. (Fleur) <f.m.petit(a)uu.nl>; Burke, M.C. (Maura) <m.c.burke(a)students.uu.nl>; s.m.friederich(a)rug.nl <s.m.friederich(a)rug.nl>; Michele Ginammi <mginammi(a)gmail.com>; Fuente, S. de la (Soscha) <s.fuente(a)students.uu.nl>; ruwardarthur(a)gmail.com <ruwardarthur(a)gmail.com>; Vergouwen, S.H. (Sanne) <s.h.vergouwen(a)students.uu.nl>; Schmitz-Justen, P.H.W. (Philipp) <p.h.w.schmitz-justen(a)students.uu.nl>; Klein Douwel, M. (Mon) <m.kleindouwel(a)students.uu.nl>; Allen, G.S. (Geoff) <g.s.allen(a)students.uu.nl>; Wouter van Soest <wouthoorn(a)hotmail.com>; Gijs Leegwater <leegwater(a)esphil.eur.nl>; mike(a)michaelcuffaro.com <mike(a)michaelcuffaro.com>; Tagliani, E. (Edoardo) <e.tagliani(a)students.uu.nl>; Baanders, P.H.L. (Pauline) <p.h.l.baanders(a)students.uu.nl>; Buonocore, G. (Giovanni) <g.buonocore(a)uu.nl>; Marc Holman <m.holman(a)kpnmail.nl>; Niels Martens <martensniels(a)gmail.com>; dincorcevik(a)gmail.com <dincorcevik(a)gmail.com>; Aarts, J.E.C.M. (Jos) <j.e.c.m.aarts(a)students.uu.nl> *Subject:* John Conway Dear All, A prominent victim of the virus: John Conway at Princeton (https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/04/12/wiskundige-conway-was-een-speels-genie… - funnily enough I have found this only in Dutch). I have heard of a few of our colleagues in the States who have had it, but they are all on the mend. I hope you are all safe and well. (Marc: yours was just precautionary self-isolation I hope!) Keep safe! Guido ------------------ Guido Bacciagaluppi Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science and the Humanities Web:http://www.uu.nl/en/research/history-and-philosophy-of-science HPS The Movie: https://youtu.be/EpUNLCo6C8Q Visiting address: Buys Ballotgebouw room 311 Princetonplein 5 3584 CC Utrecht Netherlands Postal address: Freudenthal Instituut Postbus 85.170 3508 AD Utrecht Netherlands Email: g.bacciagaluppi(a)uu.nl Tel.: +31 (0)30 253 5621 Fax: +31 (0)30 253 7494

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New CFP - Sixth Spacetime Conference
by vpetkov＠minkowskiinstitute.org April 11, 2020

April 11, 2020

New Call for Papers Sixth International Conference on the Nature and Ontology of Spacetime Due to the present situation the conference will be held on 28 September - 1 October 2020 When: 28 September - 1 October 2020 Where: Albena (famous Black Sea resort near Varna), Bulgaria Submission Deadline: 1 August 2020 Website: http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/conferences/2020/ Contact: 2020conference(a)minkowskiinstitute.org The Scientific Organizing Committee invites papers from physicists, philosophers of physics and philosophers on any topic related to the nature and ontology of spacetime. As there is no main theme of the sixth spacetime conference a number of special sessions have been suggested by colleagues (http://www.minkowskiinstitute.org/conferences/2020/call.html) - Nature of time - Flow of time; Becoming (continuation of the Special Session on Becoming and the panel discussion at the Second Hermann Minkowski Meeting on the Foundations of Spacetime Physics on Wednesday, May 15, 2019) - Is spacetime a real (physical) four-dimensional entity or a mathematical concept? - Open Questions in Spacetime Physics - The controversy over Relativistic Mass - The problem with the gravitational energy-momentum pseudotensor in general relativity - should we have a closer look at the fact that the mathematical formalism of general relativity does not yield a proper tensor of the gravitational energy-momentum? - What is the difference between matter and geometry in general relativity, semi-classical gravity, and quantum gravity? - Do Black Holes Actually Exist? - Is there a conflict between relativity and quantum mechanics? - Quantum Gravity: Where do we stand? Depending on the number of colleagues participating in a special session, we plan to publish a volume with the talks presented at the session, which will include constructive criticism and the replies of the authors. Contributed papers in the form of extended abstracts of between one and two pages should be emailed to 2020conference(a)minkowskiinstitute.org by August 1, 2020. Submissions will be reviewed and notification of acceptance will be sent on August 17, 2020. Scientific Organizing Committee: Dennis Dieks (Utrecht University) Mauro Dorato (University of Rome Three) George F. R. Ellis (University of Cape Town) Robert Geroch (University of Chicago) Eleanor Knox (King's College London) Vesselin Petkov (Minkowski Institute, Montreal) Steven Savitt (University of British Columbia) Anguel Stefanov (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) James Owen Weatherall (University of California, Irvine) Christian Wuethrich (University of Geneva)

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Call for participation: Mathematics and Analogical Reasoning, 11-12 September, 2020 at LMU Munich
by Erik Curiel Feb. 22, 2020

Feb. 22, 2020

Call for participation: Mathematics and Analogical Reasoning, 11-12 September, 2020 at LMU Munich ********************************************* The Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy invites registrations for the following event: Mathematics and Analogical Reasoning MCMP, LMU Munich 11-12 September, 2020 https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies ********************************************* IDEA & MOTIVATION: The goal of this conference is to investigate the role of mathematics as a heuristic device for analogical reasoning in science and philosophy. QUESTIONS we aim to address at the conference include (but are not limited to): ·How can a positive mathematical analogy generate support for a particular theoretical view about otherwise disconnected physical systems? ·Can we be sure that epistemic lessons from one domain carry over to another domain, given that there are always known points of disanalogy? If so, how? ·Does the fact that shared mathematical structures can generate new scientific insights have a bearing on (enhanced) indispensability arguments for mathematical realism? ·How can a mathematical analogy generate understanding of one system given our understanding of the model system? ·What is an adequate methodology for analogical reasoning about meta-empirical domains (like mathematics or ethics)? ·Are the mathematical background assumptions of recent arguments featuring mathematical analogies plausible (specifically in light of recent pluralist developments in set theory)? More Information is available on the conference website: https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies. The conference also has a PhilEvents website: https://philevents.org/event/show/81150. REGISTRATION: In order to register please visit the conference website (https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies) or contact Silvia Jonas (silvia.jonas(a)lmu.de <mailto:silvia.jonas@lmu.de>) for further information. ORGANIZERS: Silvia Jonas (MCMP/LMU Munich) Mark Colyvan (University of Sydney/MCMP) https://silviajonas.wixsite.com/mathematicsanalogies https://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/events/workshops/container/ana… https://philevents.org/event/show/81150 -- Erik Curiel http://strangebeautiful.com Assistant Professor Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Ludwigstraße 31 80539 München, Deutschland http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de BHI Research Fellow Black Hole Initiative Harvard University http://bhi.fas.harvard.edu Research Fellow Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Radio and Geoastronomy Division https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/rg

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Cushing Prize 2020: Call for Nominations
by Neil Dewar Feb. 10, 2020

Feb. 10, 2020

From Don Howard: James T. Cushing Memorial Prize in History and Philosophy of Physics Call for Nominations We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2020 Cushing Prize in History and Philosophy of Physics. Eligible for nomination are works by what we term “younger scholars,” meaning individuals who are within five years of the receipt of the Ph.D, and work in any area of the history and philosophy of physics may be nominated. Nominations should include a letter explaining the significance of the work that is being nominated, along with a copy of the work, in the case of an individual paper or set of papers, or a complete citation in the case of a book. Please also provide a copy of the nominee’s current cv. The deadline for the receipt of nominations is Sunday, March 15, 2020. Nominations should be sent to: cushpriz(a)nd.edu <mailto:cushpriz@nd.edu>. The winner will be announced on April 15, 2020. The prize winner will receive a $2,000 prize and an invitation to deliver a prize lecture at the University of Notre Dame in the Fall of 2020. Questions about the prize or the nomination process should be directed to either Don Howard (dhoward1(a)nd.edu <mailto:dhoward1@nd.edu>) or Mike Schneider (schneider.michael.d(a)gmail.com <mailto:schneider.michael.d@gmail.com>). Additional information about the prize, including a list of previous winners, can be found at: https://reilly.nd.edu/history-and-philosophy-of-science/cushing-prize/ <https://reilly.nd.edu/history-and-philosophy-of-science/cushing-prize/> The Cushing Prize Committee: Feraz Azhar, University of Notre Dame David Baker, University of Michigan Jeremy Butterfield, Cambridge University Adam Caulton, Oxford University Neil Dewar, University of Munich Hans Halvorson, Princeton University Don Howard, University of Notre Dame Eleanor Knox, Kings College London Cyrus Mody, Maastricht University Nic Teh, University of Notre Dame Giovanni Valente, Polytechnic University of Milan Charlotte Werndl, University of Salzburg

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