PH430 Half Unit
Chaos and Spacetime Introduction to Philosophy of Physics I
This information is for the 2013/14 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Roman Frigg LAK5.03
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Philosophy of Science. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
Topics covered: Space: The classical and the New-Newtonian debates substantivilism -- relationalism), determinism and laws of motion, elements of dynamical systems theory, stochastic features of dynamical systems, chaos, chaos and prediction. Special relativity, general relativity
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.
Formative coursework
One 2000 word essay.
Indicative reading
B. Dainton: Time and Space (Acumen, 2010), J. Earman: A Primer on Determinism (Kluwer, 1986), P. Smith: Explaining Chaos (Cambridge University Press, 1998), E.F. Taylor and J.A. Wheeler: Spacetime Physics. Introduction to Special Relativity (W.H. Freeman & Co Ltd, 1971)
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Key facts
Department: Philosophy
Total students 2012/13: Unavailable
Average class size 2012/13: Unavailable
Value: Half Unit
