Teacher
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MORGANTI MATTEO
(syllabus)
The course will be divided into two submodules:
Part A: a detailed overview will first be given of the issue of scientific realism in its historical and theoretical dimension - also with direct reference to significant writings of contemporary philosophers; the realism/antirealism dispute will then be looked at from the perspective of the special sciences.
Part B: an introduction to quantum mechanics, with special focus on the conceptual issues it raises, especially in connection with the notion of realism; a presentation of the various interpretations of the theory, and of its main metaphysical implications.
(reference books)
Part A: P. Dicken, A Critical Introduction to Scientific Realism, Bloomsbury, or, S. Psillos, Scientific Realism. How Science Tracks Truth, Routledge. I. Hacking, Representing and Intervening, Cambridge University Press. B. Van Fraassen, The Scientific Image, Oxford University Press.
Part B: G. Ghirardi, Sneaking a Look at God's Cards, Princeton University Press, chapters 1-11, 15-16; or L.M. Lederman and C.T. Hill, Quantum Physics for Poets, Prometheus Books, chapters 1-7, 9 and the Appendix. L. Sklar, Philosophy of Physics, Oxford University Press.
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