Open positions in philosophy of physics: Scientific Collaborator and PhD Fellowship – Geneva Symmetry Group

The Department of Philosophy, University of Geneva invites applications for two positions for Christian Wüthrich’s new SNSF‐funded project PHILOSOPHY BEYOND STANDARD PHYSICS:

– one 4-year Scientific Collaborator (100%), and
– one 4-year PhD Fellowship.

The project will be housed at the Geneva Symmetry Group, which is part of the Department of Philosophy of the University of Geneva (https://genevasymmetrygroup.wordpress.com/).

The positions will start on 1 September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Talk this week: Siska de Baerdemaeker

The Beyond Spacetime project and the Geneva Symmetry Group are happy to announce a talk and a seminar this week by Siska de Baerdemaeker (University of Stockholm), who will be visiting this week. The formal talk (abstract below) will be on

Wednesday, 8 December 2021, at 18:15 in Room L208 (Landolt):
Siska de Baerdemaeker (Stockholm): How not to confirm MOND

In terms of technical difficulty, this talk rates 3/5 Einsteins.

Talk: Charlotte Zito

The Geneva Symmetry group is happy to present a talk by Charlotte Zito (USI):

Wednesday, 24 November 2021, at 16:15 in Room L208 (Landolt):

Charlotte Zito (USI): String theory and trope theory: a hypothesis for the interpretation of the properties postulated by physics

Abstract: String theory postulates a universe made of strings: small filaments which, through their vibration, determine the characteristic properties of the particles included within the standard model such as spin, mass and electric charge. Trope theory on the other hand is a metaphysical approach that describes properties as concrete particular entities and is the main opponent of universalism, that on the contrary describes properties as abstract universal entities. The main purpose of this talk is to investigate whether the tropist approach is suited to interpret the properties of the particles described by string theory by considering the relation between objects and the geometry of spacetime.

Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.

New Philosophy of Physics Society

We are delighted to announce that we are in the advanced stages of the foundation of a Philosophy of Physics Society which is going to be created to support the international community of researchers and students in the field of philosophy of physics and administer a journal entitled Philosophy of Physics which would be published on an open access basis (without publication charges).

CFA: ‘Cosmology Beyond Spacetime’ Summer Institute, 27 June – 2 July 2021

POSTPONED TO 2022. MORE INFORMATION IN LATE 2021.

Call for Applications:

International Summer Institute in Philosophy of Physics on the PHILOSOPHY OF COSMOLOGY and the PHILOSOPHY OF QUANTUM GRAVITY

Hosted by the University of Geneva-University of Illinois at Chicago Cosmology Beyond Spacetime project

Hotel Le Crêt, Morzine, France
27 June – 2 July 2021

Further information, when available, at http://beyondspacetime.net/2021summerinstitute/.

Beyond Spacetime Online Seminar Series, 3 February to 10 March 2021

UPDATE: Participants please register here: https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BYAmu_RxTeCCSU7JXYk_Ig

This is to announce an online seminar series organized by the Beyond Spacetime project in conjunction with the Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh, featuring talks by Francesca Vidotto, Lee Smolin, Chris Smeenk, Fay Dowker, Nick Huggett, and Christian Wüthrich on the intersection of quantum gravity and cosmology. More specifically, the program will be as follows:

– Feb 3: Nick Huggett, University of Illinois at Chicago
– Feb 10: Christian Wüthrich, University of Geneva
– Feb 17: Francesca Vidotto, Western University
– Feb 24: Lee Smolin, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
– March 3: Christopher Smeenk, Western University
– March 10: Fay Dowker, Imperial College London

For more information, including the zoom coordinates, please see https://www.centerphilsci.pitt.edu/cosmology-beyond-spacetime/ (and ignore the unrelated image on top!).

Please join us!

Talk: Nora Boyd

Beyond Spacetime and the Geneva Symmetry Group are happy to present an online talk by Nora Boyd:

Wednesday, 9 December 2020, at 18:15 over zoom:

Nora Boyd (Siena College): Observation and Intervention are Irrelevant to Empirical Science

Please find the abstract below.

New YouTube channel: Geneva Symmetry Group

We are very pleased to announce that the Geneva Symmetry Group, an interest group in the philosophy of physics run by Christian Wüthrich at the University of Geneva, has a new YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5EPAB4VpUkSxW-Zo6zCu5w

We will post videos of our events, such as colloquia, seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Talk: Robert Brandenberger

Beyond Spacetime and the Geneva Symmetry Group are happy to present an online talk by Robert Brandenberger:

Wednesday, 11 November 2020, at 18:15 over zoom:

Robert Brandenberger (McGill University): Is inflationary cosmology consistent with fundamental physics?

Please find the abstract below.

Talk: Louis Vervoort

The Geneva Symmetry Group is happy to present an online talk by Louis Vervoort:

Thursday, 8 October 2020, at 16:15 over ZOOM:

Louis Vervoort (University of Tyumen): The hypothesis of “hidden variables” as a unifying principle in physics

Please find the abstract below.