Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics

9 units (3-0-6) | third term

This course will examine the philosophical foundations of the physical theories covered in the first-year physics sequence: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and special relativity. Topics may include: the goals of physics and the limits of science; locality and cases of apparent action-at-a-distance; whether the gravitational and electromagnetic fields are real; attributing energy and momentum to fields; comparing gravity to electromagnetism; the arrow of time; laws of nature; determinism; the transition from electromagnetism to special relativity; mass-energy equivalence and attributing mass to fields. Not offered 2026-27.