[PhilPhys] CFA: Workshop on Mathematics in Physics, University of Oslo

[Karen Crowther]

As part of *Establishing the Nordic Network for Philosophy of Physics*, a
workshop on *Mathematics in Physics* will be hosted at The University of
Oslo on June 1-2, 2023.

Mathematical and formal properties are used heavily as guides to theory
development, and means of theory confirmation in current physics. That a
theory-in-development satisfies particular mathematical constraints or
principles is standardly taken as necessary in order that the theory be
accepted (or deemed worthy of pursuit), and an established theory’s failure
to exemplify particular mathematical features can motivate the search for a
new theory. For instance, the search for a theory of quantum gravity can be
seen as motivated by the desire for a singularity-free, unified, and
mathematically consistent theory that applies in the regimes where we
expect a quantum theory of gravity to be necessary.

What is the connection between these features and truth, or acceptability?
Why are they taken as necessary, or even useful in particular theoretical
contexts? A promising and novel approach towards answering this question
lies in these features’ connections to theoretical virtues. Theoretical
virtues in physics often take the form of specific mathematical features.
The virtue of simplicity, for example, is embodied in symmetry constraints,
including more specific principles such as background independence, which
feature prominently as guides, and means of confirmation in current
theories. Recently, current physics’ use of particular mathematical or
formal features falling under the category of “beauty principles” has been
challenged, several of which (e.g., naturalness, unification) are already
recognised as of philosophical interest. Yet, this area of research has not
gone deep enough to consider the more widespread and basic mathematical
features taken as constraints in current physics, e.g., symmetries,
singularity resolution, correspondence/reduction, and mathematical
consistency.

This workshop will explore the use of particular mathematical or formal
features—construed as theoretical virtues—as non-empirical guides and means
of theory confirmation in physics. In particular, we are interested in
exploring whether, or how, the use of these features in theory-assessment
is related to mathematical explanation and indispensability arguments. The
workshop’s aim is novel and exploratory in tying together these debates in
the philosophy of mathematics with those regarding theoretical virtues in
the philosophy of science, and non-empirical confirmation in the philosophy
of physics.


*Keynote speakers*

   - Sorin Bangu (Bergen)
   - Neil Barton (Oslo)
   - Katharine Brading (Duke)
   - Otavio Bueno (Miami)
   - Hans Halvorson (Princeton)
   - Mary Leng (York)
   - Pablo Ruiz de Olano (MPIWG)


*Organizer*

Karen Crowther (kcro8477 at gmail.com) and Øystein Linnebo


*Committee*

   - Karen Crowther (Oslo)
   - Richard Dawid (Stockholm)
   - Øystein Linnebo (Oslo)
   - Samuel Schindler (Aarhus)
   - Harald Wiltsche (Linköping)


*Call for abstracts*

We welcome submissions of abstracts of approx. 500 words from interested
speakers anywhere in the world, but especially encourage submissions from
researchers in the Nordic region. Accepted speakers will have travel and
accommodation expenses covered.

*To apply, send an abstract of approx. 500 words
to nnpp.submissions at gmail.com  <nnpp.submissions at gmail.com>*

*Please include your name, email address and affiliation. Deadline 20 Feb.*

https://philevents.org/event/show/106797

https://www.hf.uio.no/ifikk/english/research/networks/nordic-network-for-philosophy-of-physics/events/event-2.html
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