Philosophical perspectives on the exact sciences I
Résumé de section
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The goal of the master programme is to acquire the skills necessary to address the philosophical questions that are raised by the exact sciences and their history. How did the visions of space and time change from Newton to Einstein? What is matter following the revolution introduced by quantum physics? What is a law of nature? Do mathematical objects really exist? Can philosophical logic be applied in computer science? What is the relationship between artificial intelligence and the mind and consciousness? These questions, among many others, will be tackled in the philosophical reflection on the exact sciences and their history that this master module offers. Reflecting on these issues provides intellectual tools for a better understanding of today’s science and technologies. After an introductory teaching, the students work in small groups of 2 to 5 students on a particular project and present their intermediate results to the whole group. Students are free to choose the project that interests them most, but we encourage them to work on a project that is about philosophical issues raised in connection with their main branch at EPFL.
The course booklet, download below, contains all the informations about the course.
To contact the teaching staff, please e-mail amine.rusielhassani@unil.ch
Programme
Autumn term:
Introductory lectures 9 Sept. to 14 Oct. (3h per week, 16h15-18h45)
Wed 9 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Introduction to the programme and Descartes on modern science
17h45-18h45 Cristian Lopez: Physics and philosophy
Wed 16 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Newton on natural philosophy
17h45-18h45 Amine Rusi: Philosophy of space and time
Wed 23 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Quantum physics: non-locality and the measurement problem
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: The ontology of quantum physics
Wed 30 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Amine Rusi: Philosophy of artificial intelligence and consciousness
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: Mind and free will
Wed 7 Oct.:
16h15-17h30 Cristian Lopez: Mathematical structure and ontology
17h45-18h45 Amine Rusi: How to write an essay
Wed 14 Oct.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: What is a law of nature?
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: The scientific and the manifest image of the world
by Mon 19 Oct. at the latest: Definite fixing of the groups & essay subjects
Work on essay plan, at least one meeting with supervising assistant; submit essay plan to supervising assistant at least one week before your presentation.
Wed 25 Nov., Wed 2 Dec., Wed 9 Dec., Wed 16 Dec. 16h15-19h15:
Presentations of essay plans: 15 minutes presentation (power point), 15 minutes discussion.
by 1 May 27: submit essay, meeting with supervising assistant in May to discuss results
by 1 June 27: submit final version of essay, if changes requested
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Wed 9 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Introduction to the programme and Descartes on modern science
17h45-18h45 Cristian Lopez: Physics and philosophy
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Wed 16 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Newton on natural philosophy
17h45-18h45 Amine Rusi: What is space?
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Wed 23 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: Quantum physics: non-locality and the measurement problem
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: The ontology of quantum physics
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Wed 30 Sept.:
16h15-17h30 Amine Rusi: Philosophy of artificial intelligence and consciousness
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: Mind and free will
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Wed 7 Oct.:
16h15-17h30 Cristian Lopez: Mathematical structure and ontology
17h45-18h45 Amine Rusi: How to write an essay
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Wed 14 Oct.:
16h15-17h30 Michael Esfeld: What is a law of nature?
17h45-18h45 Michael Esfeld: The scientific and the manifest image of the world
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by Mon 19 Oct. at the latest: Definite fixing of the groups & essay subjects
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Work on essay plan
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Work on essay plan
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Work on essay plan
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Work on essay plan
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Wed 25 Nov. 16h-19h essay plan presentations
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Wed 2 Dec. 16h-19h essay plan presentations
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Wed 9 Dec. 16h-19h essay plan presentations
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Wed. 16 Dec.: 16-19h essay plan presentations
