Speakers
Daniel Harlow (MIT)
Professor Harlow works on combining quantum mechanics and gravity, focusing on the quantum-mechanical aspects of black holes and cosmology. Recently he has been using methods from quantum information theory to approach these problems, in particular relating the AdS/CFT correspondence - our best theory of quantum gravity so far - to the theory of quantum error correcting codes. He also works on the general mathematical structure of quantum field theory, which despite its venerable age has resisted a fully satisfactory formulation.
Erik Curiel (LMU Munich)
My work focuses on the intersection of general relativity, quantum field theory and thermodynamics, primarily in the physics of black holes, early-universe singularities, and related gravitational phenomena. In general philosophy of science, I work primarily on the semantics of scientific theories, where I grouse a lot about the inadequacies of the semantic view of theories, and try to work out my own account. On the purely physics side, I enjoy working on the mathematical foundations of classical mechanics and various problems in classical general relativity.
Christian Wüthrich (University of Geneva)
Christian’s philosophical interests most prominently include foundational issues in physics, particularly in classical general relativity and quantum gravity. Of course, he also gets excited about the implications of philosophy of physics for general philosophy of science and metaphysics. More specifically, he enjoys thinking about issues such as space and time, persistence, laws of nature, determinism, and causation.
Patricia Palacios (University of Salzburg)
My areas of specialization are general philosophy of science and philosophy of physics. My research in general philosophy of science focuses on scientific explanation, reduction and emergence, and the role of idealizations in science. In philosophy of physics, I work primarily on the foundations of statistical mechanics and philosophical problems raised by phase transitions. Apart from that, I am interested in the application of physics methods to other sciences like economics and biology, and in the use of analogue experiments and simulations in science, especially in the context of black holes.
Sebastian De Haro (UvA)
My areas of specialisation are the philosophy of science and the philosophy and history of physics. I am particularly interested in how classical referential semantics can be brought to bear on various questions in philosophy of science. I am interested in the debates about scientific realism, emergence, in questions of empirical under-determination, empirical equivalence, theoretical equivalence, scientific understanding, heuristics, dualities in physics, the relation between science and philosophy, and the philosophy of string theory.
Enrico Magnani (Artist/ex-Researcher)
Enrico Magnani is an Italian contemporary artist known for his works that integrate art, science and spirituality. His definitive establishment in the world of art follows an eclectic path which he started out as scientific researcher in the field of nuclear fusion. At a certain point in his career, Magnani felt the need to proceed along those paths of knowledge where purely rational speculation is not enough. After an initial figurative period, his original abstract works quickly brought him to international attention and since 2010 they have been presented in museums, foundations, private galleries and public institutions in Europe and the USA. He holds seminars and workshops on creativity in art and in life through the constructive use of error and intuition.