ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½

Instructor: Joshua Mozersky

The development of contemporary physics has greatly altered our understanding of the universe we inhabit. In so doing, it has a direct impact on many long-standing philosophical issues, such as: the relationship between the mind and the world; the nature of space, time, and matter; the nature of properties; the possibility of gaining knowledge of mind-independent reality; the nature of abstract objects; the possibility of time travel; and more.

This course is an examination the implications of physics for these and related philosophical concerns. Questions to be addressed include: Is time real? Is the passage of time an illusion? Is the direction of time an illusion? What is the nature of infinity? Is the structure of space-time objective or merely a convention? Does physics reveal a mind-independent reality or do observers in some way construct reality? Is it possible to provide a complete description of reality?

While a willingness to learn some elementary formal techniques is important for this course, it does not presuppose any background in math or science. Our goal is to understand the logical and philosophical implications of scientific theories, not to become quasi scientists.

Science and math students are warmly welcomed as relevant philosophical concepts will be explained as we go.