Quantum gravitation and string theory. Some philosophical reflections

Author: Sebastián de Haro
Date of publication: Pamplona, June 21, 2011

Sebastian de Haro holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Utrecht in 2001 and is currently a Lecturer at the Amsterdam University College of the University of Amsterdam. He has been researcher associate at the Spinoza Institute and Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University; at the Mathematics Department, King's College, University of London; at the Albert Einstein Institute (Max Planck Institut für Gravitationsphysik) Potsdam; and at the Physics Department, University of California, Los Angeles CA. He has also been publisher of "Foundations of Physics, Springer".

summarySince antiquity, the project of physics has been characterized by the idea that the world is intelligible by means of physical laws that seek simplicity. Often in scientific internship , the unification of the various phenomena and forces is identified with the idea of reductionism from macroscopic Structures to the underlying microscopic Structures . The program of unification of the four forces of physics has not found a conclusive solution, but has recently had important advances. The picture of space-time provided by quantum gravity is quite different from initial expectations. This seminar will provide a general introduction to this new conception of space-time and a reflection on some of its philosophical implications. In particular, the idea of reductionism in physics and its influence on the relationships between different scientific disciplines will be reconsidered.