PHI 325LEC—Philosophy of Physics

Theoretical developments in modern physics have demanded that we seriously question traditional and deeply entrenched views about the material world. In this course we will look at four key areas in which modern physics has engaged philosophical debate, including (i) on the nature of space and time, (ii) whether determinism has ever been justified by our best theories, (iii) how quantum theory has been developed to give us radically unfamiliar views about the world, and (iv) whether the spectacular precision and generality of modern physical laws gives us reason to think that the macroscopic world is fully explained by physics. For philosophers interested in the nature of the material world, acquaintance with the rich debates in the philosophy of physics is crucial. But the course will also offer a rare opportunity for physicists and scientists to think more deeply about the concepts at work in their field.