Universität Wien

180059 KU Carnap and Quantum Mechanics (2022W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 25.11. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 02.12. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 09.12. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 16.12. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 13.01. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 20.01. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Friday 27.01. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 3C, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. II/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This is an advanced seminar, intended for students with a background in physics. Its focus is two-fold: (1) Carnap’s view on axiomatization as rational reconstruction, driven by the desire to deepen the foundations of science, in the epistemic sense that it allows objectivity and understanding as compossible ideals; and (2) recent reformulations and reconstructions of quantum mechanics. Our questions include both historical and philosophical issues, such as (a) whether the motivations and goals of rational reconstruction are shared to any extent by contemporary attempts to understand why the structure of the world is quantum, and (b) whether the motivations and goals of such attempts can be clarified when considered from Carnap’s view.

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Regular attendance and active participation in discussion (15%), seminar presentation (25%), and a term paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor (60%). Detailed instructions for writing your paper will be given in the seminar.

All these evaluation components are required for successfully completing this course. Only one unexcused absence is permitted.

Grading scale:
100-90 pts -- very good
89-80 pts -- good
79-66 pts -- satisfactory
65-51 pts -- sufficient
50-0 pts -- insufficient

Examination topics

Reading list

Hilbert 1918 Axiomatic Thought
Carnap 1927 Proper and Improper Concepts
Carnap 1928 The Logical Structure of the World (selection)
Carnap 1966 Philosophical Foundations of Physics (selection)
Wheeler 1986 How come the quantum?
Bub 2004 Why the quantum?
Hardy 2004 Why is nature described by quantum theory?

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 27.04.2023 13:27