Thinking about Physics: An introduction to philosophy for physicists by Dr P Beltrame

Contribution List

1. Lecture 1: Philosophical reading of physics

02/02/2026, 17:00

2. Lecture 2: Philosophy of Physics: Intro (Metaphysics and Epistemology)

16/02/2026, 17:00

Reading list:

Reading list:
Lawrence Sklar. Philosophy of Physics - Introduction
Alan Chalmers, What is this thing called science. Chapter 1

Link on Wisp: https://wisp.ph.liv.ac.uk/index.php/s/fgXXpjLD6QYGQJp

3. Lecture 3: Deeper into Metaphysics

02/03/2026, 17:00

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38370716353279?p=1B9ZFwTceUBP8qhOew

4. Lecture 4: Physics needs philosophy. Philosophy needs physics

16/03/2026, 17:00

Teams connection:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/38370716353279?p=1B9ZFwTceUBP8qhOew

Reading list:
Carlo Rovelli - Physics needs philosophy. Philosophy needs physics. (https://arxiv.org/abs/1805.10602)

5. Lecture 5: The ship of Theseus

30/03/2026, 17:00

6. Lecture 6: The Laws of physics

13/04/2026, 17:00

reading:
- Eddy Keming Chen – Laws of Physics (p. 1-11, to the end of 2.2)
hkps://arxiv.org/abs/2309.03484
Optional
- Nancy Cartwright – Do the Laws of Physics State the Facts?
hkps://joelvelasco.net/teaching/120/cartwright-How_the_Laws_of_Physics_Lie.pdf
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Laws of Nature
hkps://plato.stanford.edu/entries/laws-of-nature/

7. Lecture 7: What is fundamental

27/04/2026, 17:00