Latest Past Events

Winter & Spring 2019 Rotman Dialogues

Room 4190 - Western Interdisciplinary Research Building Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 4190, London

EVENT DESCRIPTION Rotman Dialogues are events based on a specific book or reading, that are facilitated by Institute graduate students. Conducted much as an author-meets-critics event, these informal discussions begin with a brief introduction by the author, followed by questions from the one or two graduate students chairing the session. Finally, the dialogue is [...]

Stathis Psillos: From natures to laws of nature

Room 4190 - Western Interdisciplinary Research Building Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 4190, London

ABSTRACT The key claim of this talk will be that the conception of nature as being governed by natural laws is thoroughly modern. It arose mostly in the natural philosophy of Rene Descartes and was meant to replace natural powers as principles of change and of connection among distinct existences. This new conception of laws [...]

Stathis Psillos: Engaging Philosophy: Einstein on the Method of Science

Stevenson & Hunt Room A - Central Library 251 Dundas St, London

ABSTRACT Albert Einstein said that scientists are poor philosophers. Yet, he added that especially in periods of scientific revolutions, scientists should engage in philosophy and should not “surrender to philosophers the critical contemplation of the theoretical foundations” of science. In this talk I will aim to critically examine Einstein’s views on the method of science [...]