[PhilPhys] philosophy of physics events

[James Ladyman]

Dear all

We have a number of events in the next few weeks.

On Wednesday 26th April at 2pm in physics room 3.27:

David Sloan (Oxford), 'Through the Big Bang'

I will show how the intrinsic definition of observables in relativity through dynamical similiarity (known as Shape Dynamics) leads to the continuation of Einstein's equations classically through the big bang singularity in simple cosmological scenarios. By appealing to general principles I argue that this is a generic feature, and that the singularity can be viewed as an artifact of the redundant description imposed by absolute length scales. I will then lay out some other welcome features of intrinsic relational systems, and discuss the broader questions raised by a theory of physics that is independent of physical dimensions such as mass and length. 


On Monday 1st May at 12pm in Cotham House G2:

Roman Frigg (LSE), 'Further Rethinking Equilibrium'

In a recent paper we proposed a new definition of Boltzmannian equilibrium and showed that in the case of deterministic dynamical systems the new definition implies the standard characterisation of equilibrium as the largest macrostate but without suffering from its well-known problems and limitations. We now generalise this result to stochastic systems and show that the same implication holds. We then discuss an existence theorem for equilibrium states and illustrate with a number of examples how the theorem works. Finally, fist steps towards understanding the relation between Boltzmannian and Gibbsian equilibrium are made.


From 13th-26th May we are pleased to welcome Benjamin Meaker visiting professors Laura Ruetsche and Gordon Belot from Michigan.

(Laura is well known especially for her book on the interpretation of quantum field theory, and she will hold a graduate class on 18th May.  Gordon is well known especially for his work on spacetime physics.  Both of them won the prestigious Lakatos Prize for their latest books.)

There will be a workshop on Representation and Symmetry in Physics on Tuesday 23rd May with talks by them both and others - further information to follow.

Please forward as appropriate.
take care
james


Professor James Ladyman
Department of Philosophy
University of Bristol
Cotham House
Bristol BS66JL
0117 3310934
james.ladyman at bristol.ac.uk