This course offers an introduction to the philosophy of physics, which deals with methodological, epistemological, and metaphysical issues in physics. It consists of six modules offering a rich menu in philosophically deep questions arising in modern physics, concentrating on space and time in classical physics and in special and general relativity (and beyond), and quantum mechanics, the measurement problem and quantum non-locality.

The six modules are as follows:

1. Introduction: what is philosophy of physics, how did modern physics emerge, and what is determinism?
2. Substantivalism vs relationalism: Newton, Leibniz, Kant, and time in Newtonian physics in general
3. Time in special relativity: relativity of simultaneity, Minkowski spacetime, and implications for the metaphysics of time
4. Time in general relativity, cosmology, and beyond
5. Quantum mechanics: phenomena and theory
6. Quantum mechanics: the measurement problem and quantum non-locality

Accessibility and Prerequisites. This course will be self-contained and has no prerequisites. While some background in physics, mathematics, and philosophy will be helpful, I will not assume any specific knowledge beyond high school mathematics.

• Nick Huggett. Everywhere and Everywhen: Adventures in Physics and Philosophy. Oxford University Press (2010).
• All (mandatory) reading materials are available through Moodle.

If this seminar is taken for credit, please let me know. For credit in philosophy you will have to fulfill requirements, depending on the module for which you are taking this course:

BA7, module 7:

- Evaluation: petit mémoire en philosophie dactylographié (30 à 40 pages, 60'000 à 80'000 signes, espaces non-compris) sur un sujet en relation avec un CR ou SE ou sur un sujet soumis et approuvé par un enseignant du Département de philosophie qui supervise le travail, et soutenance orale d’environ 30 minutes.

MA2, demi-module 2b:

- Attestation: travail écrit de 12 pages d'environ 24'000 signes; ou présentation orale et complément écrit.

- Evaluation: examen oral (env. 45 min.) portant sur le contenu du CR ou du SE et sur le travail du séminaire.

MA5, demi-module 5b:

- Attestation: travail écrit de 12 pages d'environ 24'000 signes; ou présentation orale et complément écrit.

- Evaluation: examen oral (env. 45 min.) portant sur le contenu du CR ou du SE et sur le travail du séminaire.

Contact me if you need credit in another programme.

Course materials such as lecture notes, handouts, etc will be made available as they will be used in class.

• Module 0: Organisation
• Module 1: Introduction
• Module 2: Substantivalism vs relationalism
• Module 3: Time in special relativity
• Module 4: Time in general relativity, cosmology, and beyond
• Module 5: Quantum mechanics: phenomena and theory
• Module 6: Quantum mechanics: the measurement problem and quantum non-locality

This is the schedule for the course. It is subject to adjustment.

Date	Topic	Readings
20.02.	Organisation, Introduction	Huggett, Ch 1, *Wüthrich (2011)
27.02.	Introduction	Wüthrich, Ch. 1
06.03.	Substantivalism vs relationalism	Huggett, Ch 9
13.03.	Substantivalism vs relationalism	*Hoefer, Huggett, and Read (2021)
20.03.	Time in special relativity	Huggett, Ch 14
27.03.	Time in special relativity	Huggett, Ch 15, *Janssen (2014)
03.04.	Time in general relativity, cosmology, and beyond	Maudlin (2012), Ch 6
10.04.	Time in general relativity, cosmology, and beyond
17.04.	Quantum mechanics: phenomena and theory	Maudlin (2019), Ch 1
24.04.	No seminar (semaine de lecture)
01.05.	Quantum mechanics: phenomena and theory	*Albert (1992), Ch1 and 2, *Ismael (2020)
08.05.	Quantum mechanics: the measurement problem and quantum non-locality	*Maudlin (1995)
16.05.	Quantum mechanics: the measurement problem and quantum non-locality	Mermin (1985)
23.05.	Semaine de révisions, no class meeting