Philosophy of Physics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is designed to provide students with the fundamental notions of the philosophy of physics, as well as with the essentials of the main debates on spacetime and quantum mechanics by using an interdisciplinary approach and examples taken from different fields of physics and its history.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- grasp the basic concepts and fundamental topics in the philosophy of physics
- describe the elements characterizing the research methodology in philosophy of physics
- distinguish epistemological problems from ontological ones related to the study of the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- critically analyze a text of philosophy of physics
- analyze debates in the field of philosophy of physics
- outline the state of the art in relation to a problem within this discipline
- apply the methodological tools learned in tackling theoretical and practical problems
Making judgements
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- understand the validity of their own and others' arguments
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- grasp the basic concepts and fundamental topics in the philosophy of physics
- describe the elements characterizing the research methodology in philosophy of physics
- distinguish epistemological problems from ontological ones related to the study of the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- critically analyze a text of philosophy of physics
- analyze debates in the field of philosophy of physics
- outline the state of the art in relation to a problem within this discipline
- apply the methodological tools learned in tackling theoretical and practical problems
Making judgements
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- understand the validity of their own and others' arguments
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course provides the basic elements of the philosophy of physics and presents the main debates on the nature of spacetime that characterize it. These aspects are discussed through textbooks, texts by A. Einstein, supplementary materials and Chapter 3 of the text by Robert Di Salle "Understanding Spacetime" (6 CFU program, corresponding to the first 40 hours). The last part of the course (for the 9 CFU program, corresponding to the last 20 hours) focuses on conceptual problems underlying the major debates on the foundations of quantum mechanics, revealing where the relativistic representation of the structure of the world clashes with the quantum one. The texts in the program in English will be extensively covered in class and explanatory materials will be made available for non-attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
Specific preliminary notions are not required.
Teaching methods
Oral lectures, in-presence and on-line group activities, discussions. When appropriate, a multimedia, approach is employed (e.g. PowerPoint). If possible, compulsory as well as optional didactic materials (e.g. slides discussed during classes) are uploaded on the MyAriel webpage of the course. The practical use of a telescope will be taught to the participants of the classes. At least two blended-sessions will be devoted to recap the main topics of the classes and to answer the questions of students who could not attend the course in presence. The sessions will be held via Teams and will be communicated through MyAriel portal.
Teaching Resources
PROGRAM (6 CFU):
1) Morganti, Matteo. Filosofia della fisica. Un'introduzione. Carocci 2016 (solo i Capitoli 3-4)
2) Einstein, Albert (2015). Le due relatività. Gli articoli del 1905 e 1916. Bollati Boringhieri (selected sections of 1905 and 1916 papers).
3) DiSalle, Robert (2006). Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, CHAPTER 3 ONLY.
PROGRAMMA DA 9 CFU:
1) Morganti, Matteo. Filosofia della fisica. Un'introduzione. Carocci 2016 (solo i Capitoli 3-4)
2) Einstein, Albert (2015). Le due relatività. Gli articoli del 1905 e 1916. Bollati Boringhieri (selected sections of 1905 and 1916 papers).
3) Materiali integrativi che verranno trattati a lezione: Einstein, Albert, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. "Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete?." Physical review 47, no. 10 (1935): 777. (disponibile sulla piattaforma istituzionale Ariel e sul Teams di Filosofia della fisica).
4) Romano, Davide (2024). Filosofia della meccanica quantistica. Carocci.
5) DiSalle, Robert (2006). Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, CHAPTER 3 ONLY.
6) Ellis, George Francis Rayner. "On the philosophy of cosmology." Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 46 (2014): 5-23.
Students who are taking both written and oral exams in English must consider the following texts:
1) Huggett, Nick, ed. Space from Zeno to Einstein: classic readings with a contemporary commentary. MIT Press, 1999.
2) DiSalle, Robert. Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, 2006 (whole book for those undertaking 9CFU).
3) Supplementary materials: Einstein, Albert, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. "Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete?." Physical review 47, no. 10 (1935): 777.
1) Morganti, Matteo. Filosofia della fisica. Un'introduzione. Carocci 2016 (solo i Capitoli 3-4)
2) Einstein, Albert (2015). Le due relatività. Gli articoli del 1905 e 1916. Bollati Boringhieri (selected sections of 1905 and 1916 papers).
3) DiSalle, Robert (2006). Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, CHAPTER 3 ONLY.
PROGRAMMA DA 9 CFU:
1) Morganti, Matteo. Filosofia della fisica. Un'introduzione. Carocci 2016 (solo i Capitoli 3-4)
2) Einstein, Albert (2015). Le due relatività. Gli articoli del 1905 e 1916. Bollati Boringhieri (selected sections of 1905 and 1916 papers).
3) Materiali integrativi che verranno trattati a lezione: Einstein, Albert, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. "Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete?." Physical review 47, no. 10 (1935): 777. (disponibile sulla piattaforma istituzionale Ariel e sul Teams di Filosofia della fisica).
4) Romano, Davide (2024). Filosofia della meccanica quantistica. Carocci.
5) DiSalle, Robert (2006). Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, CHAPTER 3 ONLY.
6) Ellis, George Francis Rayner. "On the philosophy of cosmology." Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 46 (2014): 5-23.
Students who are taking both written and oral exams in English must consider the following texts:
1) Huggett, Nick, ed. Space from Zeno to Einstein: classic readings with a contemporary commentary. MIT Press, 1999.
2) DiSalle, Robert. Understanding space-time: The philosophical development of physics from Newton to Einstein. Cambridge University Press, 2006 (whole book for those undertaking 9CFU).
3) Supplementary materials: Einstein, Albert, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. "Can quantum-mechanical description of physical reality be considered complete?." Physical review 47, no. 10 (1935): 777.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ESSAY + ORAL EXAM
The exam consists of an essay and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have submitted the essay beforehand (normally 10 days before the oral exam takes place). No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The essay consists in a text (ca. 5000 words, Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing) deepening issues addressed during the course or that emerge from the reference texts included in the program. Students have the possibility to choose the topic they prefer, but they must communicate it to the teaching staff in advance to approve or enlarge the bibliography. The essay aims to ascertain the level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of physics and to test the ability to apply, understand, formulate, and know how to communicate autonomous judgments in written form on the acquired knowledge. The written essay is mandatory for all students. The oral exam intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral exam is compulsory for all students.
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading as follows: 50 % for the essay; 50 % for the oral exam.
The exam procedure is explained during the first lecture and published on the course website on MyAriel.
The exam consists of an essay and an oral examination. The latter can be only taken by students who have submitted the essay beforehand (normally 10 days before the oral exam takes place). No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students. Programs expire after 13 months since the end of classes.
The essay consists in a text (ca. 5000 words, Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing) deepening issues addressed during the course or that emerge from the reference texts included in the program. Students have the possibility to choose the topic they prefer, but they must communicate it to the teaching staff in advance to approve or enlarge the bibliography. The essay aims to ascertain the level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and conceptual bases of the philosophy of physics and to test the ability to apply, understand, formulate, and know how to communicate autonomous judgments in written form on the acquired knowledge. The written essay is mandatory for all students. The oral exam intends to ascertain understanding and reflection abilities as well as communication skills and appropriateness of language. The oral exam is compulsory for all students.
The written and the oral test are taken into account in grading as follows: 50 % for the essay; 50 % for the oral exam.
The exam procedure is explained during the first lecture and published on the course website on MyAriel.
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
De Bianchi Silvia
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesdays 3PM-5PM; Wednesdays 3-4PM. It is mandatory to send an email to arrange the meeting.
Department of Philosophy, via Festa del Perdono 7, Cortile Ghiacciaia, 3Floor and/or Teams Platform