ESF International Workshop on
The Arrow of Time : Physics and Philosophy

Louvain-la-Neuve, May 7-8, 2004
Socrate - 240
parking 82 | access | map  | Le Relais

Current physics, realistically interpreted, seems to imply a world which is the stage of processes ruled by time-symmetric laws. This view conflicts with our everyday human experience which appears to provide strong support in favour of a direction or even an unidirectional passage of time from past to future. The aim of this workshop is to tackle the physical and philosophical aspects of this apparent conflict. Specifically, the following questions will be addressed :
– Are some arguments in favour of the thermodynamical, electromagnetic or cosmological time arrows in physics acceptable?
– Which connections, if any, exist between the various purported physical time arrows?
– Is there a relation between the physical arrows and the psychological arrow, namely our sense of the flow of time?
– Is the objectifying approach of physics, and more generally, science, adequate to capture our subjective experience of the asymmetric passing of time?

 Program 
Invited speakers

David Atkinson (University of Groningen)

Gennaro Auletta (Gregorian University, Rome)

Robert Bishop (Universiy of Konstanz)

Jean Bricmont (Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve)

Harvey Brown (University of Oxford)

Marisa Dalla Chiara (University of Florence)

Dennis Dieks (University of Utrecht)

Mauro Dorato (University of Rome III)

Vincenzo Fano (University of Urbino)

Mathias Frisch (University of Maryland)

Pierre Gaspard (Université libre de Bruxelles)

Michel Paty (University of Paris VII)

Huw Price (University of Sydney)

Jos Uffink (University of Utrecht)

Organization

– If you wish to spend some nights in Louvain-la-Neuve, please contact directly the Hotel Le Relais, where most speakers will stay during the workshop.

– Attendance and coffee breaks are free. But if you wish to attend, please confirm your participation with Ms. Virginie Haulotte.

 

Please feel free to contact Michel Ghins if you need information or assistance.

 

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Dernière mise à jour : 26 avril 2004
Responsable : Michel Ghins