Conferences

Third Oxford Mini-course: Cosmology and Quantum Foundations

10-12 June, 2013

St Anne’s College, Oxford

Quantum theory as originally formulated could only be applied given a classically-described experimental context. As such, can it be applied to the description of the universe as a whole? How should it be formulated so that it can yield a quantum theory of cosmology? Is such a description even needed? What problems in cosmology might be solved in this way? This minicourse examines these questions from the perspective of many-worlds theory, pilot-wave theory, and the relational interpretation of quantum theory, with lectures from leading advocates of each. Continue reading →

Rutgers Conference: Structure in Physics

April 29-30 2013

Structure in Physics is a two-day conference at Rutgers University examining the relationship between physics and metaphysics.  We will bring together leading researchers in the philosophy of physics to discuss the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and cosmology.  This conference is organized by Barry Loewer and Jonathan Schaffer as part of the interuniversity Cosmology Project.

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Second Oxford Miniseries: Is ‘God’ Explanatory?

9-11 January, 2013

St Anne’s College, Oxford

This miniseries will explore the theological and, by extension, metaphysical questions that pertain to cosmology. The origin and order of the cosmos have helped inspire belief in a “Supreme Being” or “First Cause” for millennia; but what bearing, if any, does the modern scientific approach to studying cosmology have on such beliefs? Does introducing God into the discussion add anything?

Lectures can be viewed on YouTube Videos. Continue reading →

Yale Conference: Why is there anything rather than nothing? Cosmos, Logos, and the Why of the Universe

6-7-8-9 October 2011
Maurice Greenberg Center at Yale University

Why is there anything?
Cosmos, logos, and the “why” of the universe
… is a transdisciplinary inquiry into the origins and meaning of the cosmos, cross-fertilized by scientific, philosophical, and theological perspectives centered on an exploration of the question most foundational to each:
Why is there something, rather than nothing at all?

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The Everett Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics: 50 years on

Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st July 2007

Quantum mechanics has been with us for over 80 years and still there is no consensus on what it means. The Everett interpretation has now been with us for 50 of those years and is now arguably the simplest most credible explanation we have of the world. It requires no additional assumptions, no conceptual divisions between observers and observed, applies to the universe as a whole, and naturally explains probabilities arising from quantum mechanics.

July sees the 50th anniversary of the publication of Hugh Everett III’s only paper on physics, the seminal “Relative State Formulation of Quantum Mechanics”. This is an opportunity for the leading advocates and critics to come together and debate the Everett interpretation.

Sponsored by FQXi and hosted in the Philosophy Faculty of Oxford University, 40 of the world’s top academics will come together for three days on July 19th, 20th, and 21st to see if Everett’s explanation of quantum mechanics has at last come of age.

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