To our many friends who have asked about the status of our book, Out of Nowhere: The Emergence of Spacetime in Theories of Quantum Gravity over the last decade (and more!) — it is finally completed, and submitted to OUP, so should be appearing in the near future! (We can’t make the ms generally available, but if you have a specific need, get in touch.)
Many, many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the work. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Nick and Chris
• 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.
The Beyond Spacetime group is pleased to announce a talk, in person at UIC, and live-streamed to Geneva and on YouTube:
• Wednesday, 1 November 2023 at UIC at 10.15am – Emily Adlam (Chapman University): Are Entropy Bounds Epistemic? (Note the unconventional time because of the clock change: 4.15pm in Central Europe.)
Abstract: Entropy bounds have played an important role in the development of holography as an approach to quantum gravity, so in this talk I will seek to gain a better understanding of the covariant entropy bound. I observe that there is a possible way of thinking about the covariant entropy bound which would suggest that it encodes an epistemic limitation rather than an objective count of the true number of degrees of freedom on a light-sheet; thus I distinguish between ontological and epistemic interpretations of the covariant bound. I consider the consequences that these interpretations might have for physics and I discuss what each approach has to say about gravitational phenomena. My aim is not to advocate for either the ontological or epistemic approach in particular, but rather to articulate both possibilities clearly and explore some arguments for and against them. (Based on https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10781)
For logistics, please see https://beyondspacetime.net/about/space-and-time-after-quantum-gravity/speakers/
Australian Catholic University has recently announced sudden plans to close their Dianoia Institute of Philosophy, throwing faculty, including several who have been part of Beyond Spacetime, out of work. This move will cause massive harm to humanities and social science research at ACU. Please read further information here, including contact emails (it is important to CC change@acu.edu.au if you write), and find a petition here.
Quantum Gravity in a Laboratory?, by project members Nick Huggett, Niels Linnemann, and Mike Schneider is now available from CUP – you can download it here for free for the next two weeks! Enjoy.
For today’s talk by Fedele Lizzi, please use this link.
Meeting ID: 817 3155 3854
Passcode: 041482
The Beyond Spacetime project and the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, invite proposals to speak at the upcoming conference Cosmology and Quantum Gravity Beyond Spacetime, on the philosophy of quantum gravity and cosmology, to be held 10-12 November 2023 at Western University. Selected speakers will have accommodation and most meals provided.
We are planning for 10 speakers – a mix of philosophers and physicists – with commentators, over two and a half days (finishing at lunch on the 12th, to allow return travel that evening). The meeting will be capped at 30 people to encourage interaction.
The following have accepted invitations to speak:
• Feraz Azhar (Notre Dame)
• Jamee Elder (BHI/Harvard)
• Laurent Freidel (Perimeter)
• Sean Gryb (Groningen)
• Katie Mack (Perimeter)
•Lee Smolin (Perimeter)
We are open to any topics exploring philosophical aspects of quantum gravity and cosmology. We hope to foster new directions and new collaborations in the field.
Please submit a title, abstract, and CV to https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=coqubes23 by June 30th, 2023.
The conference website can be found on http://www.beyondspacetime.net.
The organizing committee:
Nick Huggett (UIC)
Chris Smeenk (Western)
Francesca Vidotto (Western)
Christian Wüthrich (Geneva)
We are delighted to announce two talks next Thursday, May 25:
First, at Université de Lausanne — Sam Baron (Australian Catholic University): Causation and quantum gravity. This talk is part of ‘Quo Vadis Time?’, the Geneva-Lausanne Workshop on Time in Physics and Philosophy, taking place 24-25 May 2023 in Lausanne. For more information, please visit the website.
Second, at Oxford University — Fedele Lizzi (Naples): Quantum Observers for Quantum Spacetime. This talk is part of the Thursday Philosophy of Physics Seminar. For more information and link to live stream, https://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/event/philosophy-of-physics-seminar-thursday-week-5-tt23.
Due to a communication breakdown, you would have to put yourself into superposition to see both live; but both will be recorded for later watching. Hope to see you at one or the other!
We are excited to announce a paid predoctoral fellowship at UIC under our Templeton Grant, for Fall 2023. Full details are here: beyondspacetime.net/junior-fellowship-in-philosophy-of-quantum-gravity/. Please apply to spend time with us, or pass along to anyone who may be interested.
We just posted a couple of new videos, by Eugene Chua, and Mike Schneider talking a little about their work while part of Beyond Spacetime at UIC. Follow the links, or see our YouTube channel. Enjoy!
Beyond Spacetime 
