String Theory and the Scientific Method
Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) Research Focus Reduction and Emergence (LMU)
English - December 10, 2013 19:00 - 54 minutes - 838 MB VideoPhilosophy Society & Culture scientific philosophy scientific theory agent-based models prospect theory intertheoretic relations physicalism non-reductive monism synthetic plasticity explanation physics Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
For the last thirty years, string theory has played a highly influential role in fundamental physics without having found empirical confirmation. The presentation will analyze reasons for the high degree of trust many physicists have developed in a theory that, according to classical standards of theory assessment, would have to be called an unconfirmed speculation. It will be argued that the case of string theory suggests a new perspective on our understanding of theory confirmation in general. In the last part of the talk, some implications for the scientific realism debate and the question of reduction in science shall also be addressed. | Center for Advanced Studies: 10.12.2013 | Speaker: Dr. Richard Dawid | Moderation: Prof. Dr. Stephan Hartmann