Dear all,
You are hereby invited to the next "Physics meets Philosophy" talk
(organized in cooperation with the Institute for Quantum Optics and
Quantum Information) by
Gal Ben Porath (University of Bonn)
Title: The kinematics of indeterminism (see abstract below)
Date: April 24th (Friday)
Time: 11:00-12:30
Location: IQOQI Seminar room (Boltzmanngasse 3, 2nd floor)
Zoom link (for those that cannot join in person):
https://univienna.zoom.us/j/61334139090?pwd=OHqUQNmVwbfI9d7b80Z7k2cCXJiXNS.1
Abstract:
Discussions of determinism and indeterminism of physical theories
usually focus on properties of dynamical laws (e.g., uniqueness of
solution). This is perfectly adequate in all the usual cases.
However, when considering speculative models that seek to introduce
fundamental indeterminism into physics, such discussions are
unsatisfying. The unusual ontological roles attributed to
indeterministic changes by the authors of such models, require them to
have unusual kinematical features. I will examine these desired roles
and point to their problematic nature. I will then suggest recognizing
the occurrence of jump discontinuities as the distinguishing feature of
indeterministic kinematics and explore some consequences of such a
recognition.
For more information on "Physics meets Philosophy", see
https://sites.google.com/view/physphilvienna
Best wishes
Sebastian