International Summer Institute in Philosophy of Physics on the PHILOSOPHY OF COSMOLOGY and the PHILOSOPHY OF QUANTUM GRAVITY

In recent years, the philosophy of quantum gravity and the philosophy of cosmology have emerged as new fields in their own right, with several summer schools dedicated to each. However, they remain largely unconnected, even though their intersection promises new scientific insights of great significance to philosophical question and the advancement of physics. This Summer Institute proposes to address conceptual, metaphysical, and epistemological implications of big bang, black hole, and multiverse models in quantum gravity: the fundamental nature of space and time, especially the beginning of spacetime, 'before' time or 'outside' space; the multiverse; the nature of physical law; and how we might have knowledge of such things.

These are just some of the questions that we will discuss in this Summer Institute, which addresses graduate students and postdocs from philosophy of physics and related fields.

The intended audience for the Summer Institute are Masters students, PhD students, and postdocs working or planning to work in the intersection between physics and philosophy. We will also consider applications from philosophers and physicists wishing to expand their existing research interests to include the philosophical implications of quantum gravity and cosmology. We will furthermore consider applications from members of the general public who can demonstrate an acquaintance with the subject equivalent to the Master’s level.

COVID contingency planning: We are currently planning to hold the meeting in person, at the place and time specified above. If this is not possible, we will hold it over zoom.

Health pass: Currently, a health pass ('pass sanitaire') is mandatory in French hotels and restaurants. For more information about the health pass, please visit https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19. For information regarding the entry to France from a foreign country, please visit https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/.

To apply for the Summer Institute, candidates should submit:

• A cover letter of no more than one page describing your current research interest and its relevance to the topic of the Summer School; please explain as specifically as possible how the summer school will benefit your research plans.
• A current CV.
• A short letter from your advisor or other person knowledgeable of your work, expressing your suitability.
• Optional: participants wishing to present their own work can submit a title and a 250-word abstract. If accepted, they will get the opportunity to present their work, perhaps at a poster session.

Please combine all your documents into one PDF file and upload it to https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=sibst2022 by 15 March 2022. Decisions will be made by early April.

The Organizing Committee will select the admitted participants based on the academic strength of their file and the pertinence of their interests; in other words, we will consider how much the candidate is likely to benefit from attending the Summer School and how much the Summer School would likely benefit from the attendance of the candidate and try to maximize the sum of the benefits.

The Summer Institute is generously supported by the John Templeton Foundation. This support funds a significant part of room and board for accepted participants.  However, there will be a fee of CHF 200 for each applicant, which will cover the remaining cost of room (single occupancy) and full board and the full participation in all activities of the Summer Institute. Participants are responsible for their travel to and from the site of the Summer Institute, and for incidentals such as beverages.