Alyssa Ney - Fundamentality of Physics without Completeness

Alyssa Ney (LMU Munich)

The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our 65th Annual Lecture Series Talk. Attend in person in room 1008 in the Cathedral of Learning (10th Floor)  or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

The Annual Lecture Series, the Center’s oldest program, was established in 1960, the year when Adolf Grünbaum founded the Center. Each year the series consists of six to eight lectures, about three quarters of which are given by philosophers, historians, and scientists from other universities.

ALS – Alyssa Ney

Friday, February 21 @ 3:30 pm - 5:30pm EST

1008 Cathedral of Learning 

Title: Fundamentality of Physics without Completeness

Abstract:

In contemporary philosophy, the fundamentality of physics and physicalism are typically understood as ontological completeness claims of some sort. For example, physics is taken to provide a complete supervenience or realization basis, or a complete set of grounds for all facts or entities. However, since no formulated physical theory provides a complete ontological basis for all facts or entities, one must seek an alternative interpretation if one wants a realistic understanding of the sense in which our current physical theories are fundamental. The aim of this paper is to develop such an interpretation, one that bases the fundamentality of our current physical theories in a claim about their ontological depth and comprehensiveness. It is argued that this interpretation of the metaphysical fundamentality of physics is more in line with the way that physicists regard certain theories as fundamental than standard philosophical conceptions.

Can’t make it in-person? This talk will available online through the following:

Zoom: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/93433720100 and 

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

A reception with light refreshments will follow in The Center on the 11th floor from 5-6pm.