88008 - Phylosophy and Basics of Physics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know: - key concepts in the philosophy of science, such as natural law, scientific explanation, theory, experimental control and representation of reality; -open problems in the foundations of physics, such as quantum non-locality, quantum measurement, the incompatibility between general relativity and quantum mechanics, the cosmological principle; - the contribution of current physical theories to major philosophical questions, such as determinism, the nature of space-time, the part-whole relationship, causality, and the origins of the universe. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to: - understand the philosophical aspects of research in physics; - put in evidence the epistemological premises of a technical problem in theoretical or experimental physics; - use symbolic logic to address questions of the foundations of physics; - explicate their epistemological position and position themselves critically with respect to the issues and methods of advanced research in physics.

Course contents

In the following a list of possible topics. The choice will be agreed with the students.

0. Physics and philosophy


0.1 The history of physics


0.2 The method of philosophy.





1. epistemological and metaphysical problems related to cosmology.


1.1 Cosmological principle.


1.2 Copernican principle.


1.3 Manchak's theorem.


1.4 Perfect cosmological principle.


1.5 Background radiation.


1.6 Relationalism and substantivalism of spacetime.


1.7 The hypothetical-deductive method.


1.8 Inflation.


1.9 Underdetermination and ad hoc hypothesis.


1.10 Concordism and skepticism.






2. Scientific realism.


2.1 Theory-laden data.


2.2 Measurement.


2.3 Common sense realism.


2.4 Theoretical entities.


2.5 No miracle argumnet.


2.6 Meta pessimistic induction.


2.7 Use Novel Prediction.


2.8 Truth and confirmation.


2.9 Model realism.


2.10 Epistemic structural realism.


2.11 Ontic structural realism.


2.12 Existence as primitive.


2.13 Simultaneity.


2.14 What is a scientific theory.






3. Metaphysics and epistemology of determinism.


3.1 Compatibilism.


3.2 Libertarianism.


3.3 Neurological determinism.


3.4 Modal argument.


3.5 Psychophysical laws.


3.6 Ontological determinism.


3.7 Determinism of theories.


3.8 Indeterminism.


3.9 Causality.


3.10 Scientific laws.


3.11 Bell's inequality.


3.12 Predictability.





4. Black hole paradoxes.


4.1 Relativistic black holes.


4.2 Hawking radiation.


4.3 Holography.


4.4 Information paradox.


4.5 Firewall paradox.


4.6 Complementarity.

5. Time and Physics

5.1 Definition by Aristotle. Temporal order. Relationship between time and motion.

5.2 Kant and time as a priori

5.3 Augustine, past-present-future

5.4 Series A and Series B, McTaggart

5.5 Circularity in the measurement of time, Poincaré, Bridgman, Reichenbach and Carnap. Pragmatism. Realism. Foundationalism

5.6 Relativity of simultaneity and conventionality. Clock synchronization according to Einstein

5.7 Time dilations. Effect and paradox of the twins

5.8 Time and special relativity

5.9 Time and general relativity

5.10 The dappled image of time

6. Physics and Society

6.1 The construction of the atomic bomb and the responsibility of scientists

6.2 The denial of science in Italy over the last hundred years

6.3 Images of science and disinformation

Readings/Bibliography

V. Fano, Comprendere la scienza, Liguori

E. Cinti, M. Sanchioni, I paradossi dei buchi neri, Carocci, 2022.

D. Wallace, Philosophy of physics. A very short introduction, OUP

Teaching methods

Frontal lecture and term paper presentations by students.

Assessment methods

For those attending 3 questions on the topics listed. Each is worth up to 12 points.


Students who submit a paper in class have a bonus of 1 to 3 points.


For non-attending students 3 questions on the books in the bibliography, each worth up to 12 points.

 

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University Office responsible in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/ studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/ en [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en] ). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance, and will be evaluated in light of the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Materials in the IOL plattform

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Fano