Topics in the Metaphysics of Science

Science—most dramatically since Einstein and the advent of quantum physics—seems to disturb our everyday picture of the world: relativity threatens our ordinary conceptions of time, and quantum mechanics endangers our basic notions of objects, locations, and laws. Yet, it is far from clear what to put in their place, and even the interpretations of the theories themselves are intensively disputed. The metaphysics of science examines the fundamental concepts employed in our scientific theories and subjects them to careful, philosophical scrutiny. Metaphysicians of science attempt to discern the genuine commitments of scientific theories and to ask what this tells us about the world. They thus both use the tools of philosophy to interpret science, as well as the results of science to inform philosophy. This two-week block seminar provides an introduction to some key topics in the metaphysics of science and the philosophy of quantum theory. The first week of the seminar covers the relevant metaphysical background. In the second week, the philosopher of physics Prof. Claudio Calosi (University of Geneva) will join the seminar to lend his perspective on the philosophical interpretation of quantum mechanics. The class will be held in English, but term papers may be written in English or German. While background knowledge in metaphysics and logic is helpful to follow the class, no prior knowledge of physics is needed—everyone is welcome!