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  4. 2014-2015
  5. Philosophy
  6. PH4015: PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICS

PH4015: PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICS (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

The course will focus on the main topics in contemporary philosophy of physics, namely philosophy of quantum mechanics, philosophy of space-time and philosophy of statistical mechanics (in varying proportions - or alternation - from year to year). In 2014-15 the main topic will be quantum mechanics. Previous familiarity with these physical theories will not be assumed.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Guido Bacciagaluppi

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This year the course will focus on the philosophy of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is our most successful physical theory to date. It also constitutes a huge break with the ideas and concepts of physics familiar from Newtonain mechanics or Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic phenomena. Most of the philosophy of quantum mechanics as developed since the 1960s has been about exploring more realist alternatives to the traditional Copenhagen interpretation (and about trying to figure out what the latter actually was!). The main such approaches are known as: (1) de Broglie and Bohm’s pilot-wave theory, (2) spontaneous collapse theories, (3) many-worlds theories. We shall spend much of the course introducing and discussing these approaches. At the same time, the philosophy and foundations of quantum mechanics (whether practised in philosophy departments or in physics departments) have tried to explore the notions that are presumably truly responsible for the break with the physics of previous centuries, such as entanglement, contextuality, non-locality etc. These provide the basis for some of the newest experimental advances in quantum communication and information, which are likely to be translated into new technology within a few years (e.g. for encryption). We shall spend much of the course also introducing and discussing these concepts. The course will aim at being self-contained and as far as possible elementary, and will not presuppose any knowledge of physics.

Further Information & Notes

Sessions may be held in common with those of the level 5 course on 'Foundations of Physics'. In this case, the minimum number of students required run the course may be lowered. Students are not permitted to register for this course after the end of week 2 of teaching.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: Two 3,500 word essays (90%) plus seminar presentation (10%). Compensatory credit may be awarded at level 1. In line with School Policy, failure to submit a component piece of assessed work, or submitting a token piece, will result in the withdrawal of the class certificate (students are not eligible for resit).

Resit: There is no resit for year 4 students.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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