MA6-MA8 The philosophy and metaphysics of particles

This seminar is co-taught by Maria Nørgaard and Christian Wüthrich.

This seminar explores the philosophical and metaphysical puzzles surrounding particles in modern physics. Although particles play a central role in theories from classical mechanics to the Standard Model, their ontological status remains deeply contested. Are they real entities, idealizations, or just useful fictions?

This course offers a rigorous entry point into the intersection of metaphysics and the philosophy of physics, equipping students to critically analyse one of the most basic – and most puzzling – elements of the physical world.

Through a combination of lectures and seminar discussions, students will examine how the concept of a particle shifts across classical physics and quantum theory. These developments will serve as a lens for broader questions in metaphysics and the philosophy of science, drawing on both historical sources and contemporary debates. This seminar deals with issues at the intersection between philosophy of physics and metaphysics as seen through the lens of particles in modern physics. Topics include scientific realism, observation, idealisation, identity, individuality, localisation, and persistence in both classical and quantum contexts.

No prior background in physics or philosophy is presupposed, although familiarity with the metaphysics of science will be beneficial. Basic ideas from quantum theory will be introduced as needed. The seminar will be conducted entirely in English and will include both introductory lectures and student presentations.

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

MA6:

- travail écrit de recherche avec soutenance (env. 25 pages, 50'000 signes)

MA7:

- travail écrit de recherche (env. 12 pages, 24'000 signes) et présentation orale durant le séminaire

MA8:

- travail écrit de recherche (env. 12 pages, 24'000 signes) ou présentation orale durant le séminaire

Contact us if you need credit in physics or in another programme.

Our expectation is that everyone prepares the assigned readings ahead of time, actively participates in the seminar, and accepts a reasonable share of presentation duties.

In its Statement on artificial intelligence, the University of Geneva clearly states that

In their scientific publications and creations, researchers and students are required to respect the rules and principles governing scientific integrity, in particular the prohibition of plagiarism, and to comply with good scientific practice.

This good scientific practice demands that the use of generative AI "must always be explicitly agreed upon with the research supervisor and must be methodologically describable" (Guidebook on Generative Artificial Intelligence, p. 14) because they "raise issues of plagiarism" (ibid.). Hence, "[w]riting tasks should not be delegated to the tool" (ibid.). In other words, it is impermissible to use ChatGPT or similar tools in the writing of seminar papers or theses, although other uses may be permissible if agreed upon with us beforehand. .

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

All reading materials will be made available on Moodle.

This is the schedule for the seminar. It is subject to adjustment. Readings marked with an asterisk (*) are optional background reading.

Date	Readings	Presenter(s)
17.09.		Maria Nørgaard and Christian Wüthrich
24.09.	Lewis (2016, ch. 1), *Ismael (2025)	Maria Nørgaard
01.10.	Allori (2013), *Lewis (2016, ch. 3)	Elisa Ballabio
08.10.	Calosi and Wilson (2021)	Matěj Krátký
15.10.	Calosi and Morganti (2021), *Schaffer (2010)	Federico Viglione
22.10.	Dieks and Lubberdink (2022), *French and Bigaj (2024)	Lucie Cauwet
29.10.	Redhead and Teller (1992), *Teller (1994)
05.11.	No seminar (semaine de lecture)
12.11.	Pashby (2016, §1-§5.1)	Anja Lukic
19.11.	Kuhlmann, Lyre, and Wayne (2002, §1.2 and §1.3), Kuhlmann (2010, chs. 4 and 5)	Maria Nørgaard
26.11.	Fraser (2022), *Baker (2015, §1-§3)	Enrico Cinti
03.12.	Fox (2008)	Alessandro Spizzico
10.12.	Kuhlmann (2010, ch. 13), *Morganti (2009)	Niels Linnemann
17.12.	Baker (2009), *Teller (1990)	Charlotte Zito