87373 - Philosophy of Physics (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

This course pursues one main goal, namely, to allow students to gain philosophical insights into the physical image of the world. The investigation of key conceptual issues arising from modern physics, such as the character of physical law, the “reality” of observable phenomena, the difference between prediction and explanation, will also guide students to see the role played by mathematics in clarifying difficulties experienced by philosophy with those questions.

Course contents

The course offers an introduction to the philosophical analysis of the nature of space and time through the study of the conceptions of space, time, and spacetime developed within the theoretical frameworks of Aristotle, Newton, and Einstein. Particular attention will be devoted to selected philosophical debates concerning specific aspects of these conceptions.

After a brief introduction to the discipline, the course will address:

• Aristotle’s conception of space, time, and motion;

• Space and time in Newton;

• Relationism and substantivalism with respect to space, time, and motion;

• The Clarke–Leibniz debate on the nature of space;

• The ontology and structure of Galilean (or neo-Newtonian) spacetime;

• The conception of spacetime that emerges from Einstein’s theory of special relativity, according to Minkowski’s geometrical formulation, with emphasis on its implications for the notions of simultaneity and causality.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings (mandatory):

• Matteo Morganti, Filosofia della fisica, Carocci, 2016 [chapters 1, 2 and 3 (up to section 3.1.1 - included)]

• Tim Maudlin, Philosophy of physics. Space and Time, Princeton University Press, 2012 [chapters 1-4]

• Dean Rickles, The Philosophy of physics, Polity Press, 2016 [chapter 3]

• Robert DiSalle, Capire lo spazio-tempo. Lo sviluppo filosofico della fisica da Newton a Einstein, Bollati Boringhieri, 2020 (trad. Andrea Migliori) [introduction, chapter 1 (up to section 1.5 -included) and chapter 3 (up to section 3.3 -included)]

• Mauro Dorato, Che cos’è il tempo? Einstein, Gödel e l’esperienza comune, Carocci, 2013 [chapters 1, 2 and 3]

  

Suggested readings (not mandatory):

• Valia Allori, Mauro Dorato, Federico Laudisa e Nino Zanghì, La natura delle cose. Introduzione ai fondamenti e alla filosofia della fisica, Carocci, 2005 [chapter 1]

• Aurelio Molaro, Storia del concetto di spazio. Dai Greci alla relatività generale, Carocci, 2024 [only sections 3.2, 3.3, 6.1 and 6.2]

• Francesco Orilia, Filosofia del tempo. Il dibattito contemporaneo, Carocci, 2012 [chapters 1-3]

• Giuliano Torrengo, La filosofia del tempo, APhEx 5, 2012.

• Federico Laudisa, Causalità, APhEx, 5, 2012.

• Barry Dainton, Time and space, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2010 [chapters 1-2, 9-13 and 16-20]

• John Ellis McTaggart, L'irrealtà del tempo, BUR Saggi, 2017 (edited by Luigi Cimmino) [pp. 121-141]

 

Non-attending students should also study:

• Giuliano Torrengo, La filosofia del tempo, APhEx, 5, 2012.

• Federico Laudisa, Causalità, APhEx, 5, 2012.

 
Required readings indicated in the bibliography, as well as readings suggested during the course, will be made available on-line.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lectures and group discussions. Individual or group presentations on a topic related to the course will also be possible (the topic must be agreed in advance with the teacher).

Assessment methods

The final examination will take place in the form of an oral interview, during which the achievement of the following educational goals will be assessed:

• Knowledge of the topics presented in the course

• Ability to critically engage with the contemporary debates related to the topics covered in the course

• Accurate knowledge of the reference texts

• Correctness, clarity, synthesis and presentation skills

• Use of appropriate terminology

The assessment of these knowledge and skills will be formalized in an evaluation expressed in thirtieths, according to the following judging criteria:

30 cum laude: excellent

30: excellent

27-29: good

24-26: fair

21-23: more than sufficient

18-20: barely sufficient

<18: insufficient. 

 

During the academic year 2025/2026, exam sessions are scheduled in the following months:

Starting from the month following the end of the course, with the exception of April, August, and December, and barring unforeseen circumstances or institutional commitments of the instructor, at least one exam session per month will be guaranteed, open to all students.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments. For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.

Students should contact the University Service in advance: any proposed adjustment must be submitted at least 15 days before the exam for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate the appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

 

Teaching tools

During the lessons, supplementary documents, slides, and handouts will be used. The material will be made available to students via the Virtuale portal.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Molinini