87373 - Philosophy of Physics (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

This course pursues one main goal, namely, to allow students to gain philosophical insights into the physical image of the world. The investigation of key conceptual issues arising from modern physics, such as the character of physical law, the “reality” of observable phenomena, the difference between prediction and explanation, will also guide students to see the role played by mathematics in clarifying difficulties experienced by philosophy with those questions.

Course contents

The course focuses on some questions and debates that are central to the contemporary philosophy of physics. After a short introduction to the discipline, the following topics will be covered: 1) the nature of space and time ; 2) the function and nature of symmetries in physics ; 3) causal and non-causal explanation in physics.

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings (mandatory):

 

• Matteo Morganti, Filosofia della Fisica, Carocci, 2016 [chapters 1, 2 and 3 (up to section 3.1.1 - included)]

• Tim Maudlin, Philosophy of Physics. Space and Time, Princeton University Press, 2012 [chapters 1-4]

• Dean Rickles, The Philosophy of Physics, Polity Press, 2016 [chapter 3]

• Robert DiSalle, Capire lo spazio-tempo. Lo sviluppo filosofico della fisica da Newton a Einstein, Bollati Boringhieri, 2020 (trad. Andrea Migliori) [introduction, chapter 1 (up to section 1.5 -included) and chapter 3 (up to section 3.3 -included)]

• Mauro Dorato, Che cos’è il tempo? Einstein, Gödel e l’esperienza comune, Carocci, 2013 [chapters 1, 2 and 3]

  

Suggested readings (not mandatory):

 

• Valia Allori, Mauro Dorato, Federico Laudisa e Nino Zanghì, La natura delle cose. Introduzione ai fondamenti e alla filosofia della fisica, Carocci, 2005 [chapter 1]

• Aurelio Molaro, Storia del concetto di spazio. Dai Greci alla relatività generale, Carocci, 2024 [only sections 3.2, 3.3, 6.1 and 6.2]

• Francesco Orilia, Filosofia del tempo. Il dibattito contemporaneo, Carocci, 2012 [chapters 1-3]

• Giuliano Torrengo, La filosofia del tempo, APhEx 5, 2012.

• Federico Laudisa, Causalità, APhEx, 5, 2012.

• Barry Dainton, Time and Space, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2010 [chapters 1-2, 9-13 and 16-20]

• John Ellis McTaggart, L'irrealtà del tempo, BUR Saggi, 2017 (a cura di Luigi Cimmino) [pp. 121-141]

 

Non-attending students should also study:

 

• Giuliano Torrengo, La filosofia del tempo, APhEx, 5, 2012.

• Federico Laudisa, Causalità, APhEx, 5, 2012.

 

Required readings indicated in the bibliography, as well as readings suggested during the course, will be made available on-line.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lectures and group discussions. Individual or group presentations on a topic related to the course will also be possible (the topic must be agreed in advance with the teacher).

Assessment methods

The final examination will take place in the form of an oral interview, during which the achievement of the following educational goals will be assessed:

• Knowledge of the topics presented in the course

• Ability to critically engage with the contemporary debates related to the topics covered in the course

• Accurate knowledge of the reference texts

• Correctness, clarity, synthesis and presentation skills

• Use of appropriate terminology

The assessment of these knowledge and skills will be formalized in an evaluation expressed in thirtieths, according to the following judging criteria:

30 cum laude: excellent

30: excellent

27-29: good

24-26: fair

21-23: more than sufficient

18-20: barely sufficient

<18: insufficient. 

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

 

Teaching tools

Lecture slides, handouts and further readings will be used during classes and will be made available to students through the virtuale.unibo.it portal.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Molinini