Shows
MCMPScientific Methodology: A View from Early String TheoryElena Castellani (Florence) gives a talk at the Workshop on "Why trust a Theory?" (7-9 December, 2015) titled "Scientific Methodology: A View from Early String Theory". Abstract: Looking at the developments of quantum field theory and string theory since their very beginnings, it does not seem that the methodology in fundamental physics has changed. The same strategies are applied in theory building and assessment. The methodology leading to the string idea and its successive developments is the same one we can find in many fundamental developments in theoretical physics. These have been crowned with successful empirical confirmation (sometimes, after a number...2018-03-1300 minMCMP – Philosophy of PhysicsDualitiesElena Castellani (Florence) gives a talk at the MCMP Colloquium (28 January, 2015) titled "Dualities". Abstract: Dualities are a key, intriguing ingredient in mathematics, logic and physics. This talk is concerned with physical dualities, in particular those dualities that have played "a central role in mapping out the structure of theoretical physics" in the past two decades (quoting Polchinski, 2015). Despite the importance of duality in field and string theory, philosophers are just starting to pay the due attention to the subject. This talk is meant as an introduction to discussing the significance of physical dualities, by pointing out the different relevant functions...2015-02-2000 min