Why does what exists exist?

December 14, 2016 - December 16, 2016
Department of Education, Humanities and Intercultural Communication, University of Siena

Viale Cittadini, 33
Arezzo
Italy

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Organisers:

Mariano Bianca
Università degli Studi di Siena
Università degli Studi di Siena

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The current cosmology, many physical theories, ancient cosmogonies, theologies and metaphysics have posed three main questions: Why  is there something rather than nothing? Why does being take many forms? What is the origin of everything?  Many different answers have been given to these questions. In theological  creationist metaphysics the only answer is that the existence of a creator who has given rise not only to all but also to the laws that govern it. The not theological metaphysics, instead, have engaged in the determination of some first principles, or archai, from which derives the reality in its various forms. Science for a long time evaded these questions focusing on particular aspects of reality by formulating explanations of natural phenomena. In the course of their current development  physics (including quantum theory) and cosmology have posed questions concerning the origin of the whole universe and the reasons of its existence. and They believe it is possible to formulate a 'theory of everything', just as it has been considered by metaphysical cosmologists and theologians from antiquity until today.

To the three  main questions can  be added  some more including: Does what exists exist by necessity? Is it possible to have a theory of everything? What aspects of reality are unknowable? Are there one or multiple universes? Can the laws of physics apply to the entire universe and  change?

The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers working on in fields such as physics,  cosmology, metaphysics, epistemology, and ontology. We welcome contributions on any topic including (but not restricted to) the following:

-         Metaphysics and the first principles of being

-         Why is there something rather than nothing?

-         The constitution of matter and dark matter;

-         The ontology of matter and energy;

-         From the infinitely small to the infinitely big;

-         Is it possible a theory of everything?

-         What aspects of reality are unknowable?

-         Are there one or multiple universes?

-         Can the laws of physics apply to the entire universe and  change? 


Invited Speakers: 

  • Alexander Afriat (University of Western Brittany, Brest)
  • Maurizio Ferraris (UNiversity of Turin)
  • Enrico Guglielminetti (University of Turin)
  • Roberta Lanfredini (University of Florence)
  • Fabio Minazzi (University of Insubria, Varese)
  • Paolo Rossi (University of Pisa)
  • Angelo Scribano (University of Siena)
  • Gino Tarozzi (University of Urbino)
  • Angelo Vulpiani (Sapienza University of Rome)

We only accept submissions from academic scholars and graduates from MA and PhD programs. Please send abstracts about  500 words (including 3-5 keywords) in a suitable form for blind review. Attached to the same e-mail please include a separate cover page with the title of the paper, your name, affiliation, academic position, contact details. Please send files either in .PDF or in .WORD format before 31th July 2016, at [email protected]. Contributions should be suitable for 25 minutes presentation. Notification of decisions is expected by 30 September, 2016. Selected papers may be considered for publication in a volume of conference proceedings.

The conference will be held in Italian and English.

There is no conference registration fee. We cannot cover travel or accommodation costs, but we will make agreements with local restaurants and hotels for all accepted participants.

Arezzo is located in Tuscany near to Florence and Siena.

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December 3, 2016, 4:00am CET

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Who is attending?

1 person is attending:

Alpen Adria Universität Klagenfurt & Université de Toulouse Jean Jaurès (Alumnus)

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