One hundred years ago, in November 1915, Albert Einstein achieved his long-sought theory of gravitation: the General Theory of Relativity. In developing the General Theory, Einstein brought together ideas from philosophy, mathematics, and physics, to create a remarkable new conception of gravity, space, and time. His work is a model of the engagement between philosophy [...]
Here is the first video from the Knowledge and Models in Climate Science: Philosophical, Historical & Scientific Perspectives Conference at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University, October 24-26, 2014.James Fleming (Colby College, Science, Technology and Society)Abstract: I present case studies of “shape-shifting nouns” in the history of dynamic climatology and identify some overarching trends [...]
The second lecture Peter Achinstein gave in November, 2014 is now available on our YouTube channel, and below: Abstract: Isaac Newton famously claimed that hypotheses, i.e., unproved propositions, have no place in “experimental philosophy.” Maxwell disagreed and proposed three methods that can legitmately be employed when a scientist lacks proof for a theory, or even a [...]
Abstract: Scientists and philosophers who seek, or advocate seeking, a “theory of everything” (e.g., string theory, Thomas Nagel’s panpsychic theory, David Chalmers’ “construction of the world”) want to produce a grand, unifying theory that can explain everything on the basis of fundamental laws and constituents of the universe. Advocates of this idea offer very general [...]
Three Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Rotman Institute have now opened, and will be accepting applications until January 15, 2015. These positions provide new scholars with a unique opportunity to pursue his or her chosen areas of scholarly research in collaboration with Rotman Institute Members.The Rotman Institute of Philosophy is situated in one of Canada’s leading [...]
Should we take drastic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, or should we continue our current practices and leave it to future generations to adapt to the effects of climate change? Opinions on this issue are divided. In this lecture Roman Frigg explains the terms of the debate in plain English (no knowledge of [...]
You can now view the public panel Climate Change: What is to be done? with panelists Gary Brown (Community Activist), Heather Douglas (University of Waterloo), Radoslav Dimitrov (Western University), and Jeffrey Simpson (The Globe and Mail). Climate Change: What is to be done? A public panel discussion - Tonight - October 23
Peter Achinstein of Johns Hopkins University is visiting the Rotman Institute next week, and will give two talks. His talk on Thursday, November 13 will engage with the history and philosophy of science, and his public talk on November 14 will be aimed at a more public audience (but also of interest to philosophers). What is [...]
Gillian Barker gave this talk as part of the series co-sponsored by the Department of Philosophy, and the London Public Library.
Public Speaker: Leonard Smith, London School of EconomicsOctober 29, 2014 Location: London Public Library (Central Branch) 251 Dundas St., Stevenson & Hunt Room, 1st floorStart Time: 7:00 pmEnd Time: 9:00 pmClimate prediction and weather prediction are very different: due to constant refinements and new techniques, the life time of a climate model is much less than [...]
