Bristol 'Next Generation' Visiting Researcher Professor Samuel Fletcher, University of Minnesota, USA

Samuel FletcherTime and Decision in the Foundations of Modern Physics 

4 July - 14 August 2022

Biography

Samuel C. Fletcher is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Resident Fellow at the Minnesota Center for Philosophy of Science, and External Member of the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy. He is Associate Editor at the European Journal for Philosophy of Science and at Foundations of Physics, and has held visiting appointments at the Universities of California, Irvine; Geneva; Oxford; and Pittsburgh. Much of his work so far has concerned the foundations of physics and of statistics, and how problems in these fields inform and are informed by broader issues in the philosophy of science. He also has interests in the conceptual and physical basis of computation, metaphilosophy, and the histories of physics and philosophy of science. His work on these subjects has appeared across over 30 publications in diverse philosophical and scientific venues, and his monograph, Foundations of General Relativity, is scheduled to be published by Cambridge University Press by the end of 2022. Some of this work has been supported by grants and fellowships from the American Philosophical Association, the European Commission, the Foundational Questions Institute & Fetzer Franklin Fund, the US National Science Foundation, and the Royal Society.

Summary of research project

Professor Fletcher and Dr Thébault will engage in and complete a research project, "Two Dogmas of Quantum Gravity," spanning their joint interests. This project addresses the problem of time in quantum gravity and the hole argument in general relativity. The former is the paradoxical way in which time seems to "disappear" in many attempts to form a quantum theory of gravity; the latter is a classic argument that attempts to show that one can only maintain the fundamental reality of spacetime events in the face of a radical sort of indeterminism in the universe. Both are dogmas in their respective communities (quantum gravity and philosophy of spacetime). This project will reveal how, at bottom, both arise from the same sort of assumption about how models of spacetime represent.

Professor Fletcher is hosted by Dr Karim Thébault, Department of Philosophy.

Events include:

Tuesday 5th - Wednesday 6th July 2022
Non-Classical Probability: Formal Epistemology Meets Foundations of Physics workshop
Physics Building: 3.21 Berry Lecture Theatre
https://ep-imp.gitlab.io/decision-and-quantum-theory-2022/

Monday 11th July 2022
Landauer’s Principle workshop
Physics Building: 3.21 Berry Lecture Theatre

Contact k.e.robertson@bham.ac.uk to confirm your attendance 

Lectures on the Philosophical Foundations of General Relativity

Series Abstract: This masterclass consists of three paired lectures and discussions on the cutting edge of research in the philosophical foundations of general relativity, our best current theory of space, time, and gravitation. Topics include the ontological relationship between space, time, and matter, the concept of energy, and time and causality, including black holes. Each session will be based on chapters of my forthcoming book, Foundations of General Relativity (CUP), that will be circulated among attendees.

Tuesday 12th July, 10:00 - 12:00  
Session I Title: Relativistic Spacetime: Dependence and Ontology
Venue: Physics Building: 3.21 Berry Lecture Theatre

Tuesday 26th July, 15:00 - 17:00
Session II Title: Energy and Matter, featuring Gravitational Waves
Venue: Verdon-Smith Room, Royal Fort House, University of Bristol

Tuesday 9th August, 15:00 - 17:00
Session III Title: Time and Causality, featuring Black Holes
Venue: Verdon-Smith Room, Royal Fort House, University of Bristol

Please contact karim.thebault@bristol.co.uk to register.