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Class Detail:

FA 2009
Philosophy
PHIL 423 - Problems of Space and Time
Section 001

Credits: 3
Requirements & Distribution: BS
Waitlist Capacity: 99
Advisory Prerequisites: One logic introduction and either one other philosophy course or 12 credits of science.
BS: This course counts toward the 60 credits of math/science required for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Repeatability: May not be repeated for credit.
Primary Instructor: Sklar,Lawrence

 

(real time availability for all sections)

Traditional philosophical questions about the nature of time and space have been strikingly influenced in the twentieth century by the results of contemporary physical science. At the same time, the important current physical theories of space and time rest explicitly or implicitly on deep-rooted philosophical assumptions. The purpose of this course is to study the mutual interaction between science and philosophy as illustrated in problems about space and time. Typical topics to be considered include the status of knowledge about the structure of space and time, substantial versus relational theories of space-time, spatio-temporal order and causal order, and the so-called problem of the direction of time. This course can be appreciated by students who have either a background in philosophy — especially logic and philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology — or background in physical science or mathematics. An attempt is made in this course to introduce the fundamental ideas of both philosophy and science at a level which can be understood by those without extensive background so students need not be proficient in both science and philosophy to benefit from the course. The primary text is L. Sklar's Space, Time, and Spacetime. There are additional readings from such authors as Reichenbach, Poincaré, Grunbaum, Smart, Wheeler, and others.


Course Syllabi
Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.

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Textbooks/Other Materials (data maintained by department in Wolverine Access)

ISBN: 9780520031746 Space, time, and spacetime., Author: Lawrence Sklar., Publisher: University of California 1st pbk. e 1977
Required

ISBN: 9780486604435 The philosophy of space and time, Author: Reichenbach, Hans., Publisher: Dover Publications 1958
Required

ISBN: 0262581698 Space from Zeno to Einstein : classic readings with a contemporary commentary, Author: ed. and with a commentary by Nick Huggett., Publisher: MIT Press 1999
Required

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