• Wednesday, 6 December 2023 at Geneva at 16:15 – Kian Salimkhani (University of Cologne): The Non-Fundamentality of Spacetime
Abstract: Spacetime fundamentalism is usually thought to face challenges from theories of quantum gravity. But the non-fundamentality of spacetime does not rely on speculative physics alone. Rather, one can give an interpretation of general relativity that supports some form of spacetime non-fundamentalism, or so I argue. I first clarify what it means to say that spacetime is or is not “fundamental”. I then sketch the argument and point out a few issues for inferences to (non-)fundamentality.
In terms of technical difficulty, this talk rates 3/5 Einsteins.
• Wednesday, 13 December 2023 at Geneva at 16:15 – John Dougherty (LMU Munich): Gauge theories and the homotopic paradigm
Abstract: Philosophical interest in gauge theories arises in part because they appear to be a context in which traditionally philosophical concerns about representation have consequences for physical theorizing. Recently, Gabriel Catren has sketched a program for understanding mathematical representation in physics that is intended particularly to account for the distinctive features of mathematical representation that appear in gauge theories. This program, which Catren terms the “homotopic paradigm”, involves two main claims: (1) the rejection of Leibniz’s principle of the identity of indiscernibles, and (2) a constructivist understanding of propositions as types of proofs. In this talk I engage in sympathetic criticism of the homotopic paradigm. I argue that the general motivations of the homotopic paradigm are compelling, but claims (1) and (2) should both be rejected: they aren’t adequate to the target phenomenon of mathematical representation in gauge theories, nor are they the best realization of the insights of the homotopic paradigm.
In terms of technical difficulty, this talk rates 4/5 Einsteins.
See the speakers tab above for logistics.