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

Contribution List

1. Lecture 1: Philosophical reading of physics

2/2/26, 5:00 PM

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

2/16/26, 5:00 PM

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

3/2/26, 5:00 PM

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

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

3/16/26, 5:00 PM

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

3/30/26, 5:00 PM

6. Lecture 6: The Laws of physics

4/13/26, 5:00 PM

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

4/27/26, 5:00 PM